New Delhi: In a significant legislative development, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal has introduced The National Commission for Men Bill, 2025, a private member’s bill aimed at establishing a statutory body to safeguard men’s rights and address what proponents describe as growing misuse of gender-biased laws. The bill was cleared for introduction in the Upper House last week and has already triggered intense debate on gender justice, legal reforms, and the long-pending demand for institutional support for men facing false accusations or family court distress.
The proposed legislation seeks the creation of a National Commission for Men (NCM) as an independent body under the Ministry of Law and Justice. Comprising a Chairperson appointed by the President, six gender-balanced members, and a Legal Advisor nominated by the Chief Justice of India, the Commission would investigate grievances of men, recommend amendments to gender-specific laws, monitor police processes, regulate media reporting, and support mental health initiatives.
A substantial portion of the bill focuses on legal reforms across a wide spectrum of laws dealing with dowry, domestic violence, child custody, workplace harassment, and sexual offenses. The bill proposes stringent measures to prevent the alleged misuse of provisions such as Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.
Under the bill’s framework, arrests under Section 498A IPC would require a mandatory preliminary investigation to be completed within 30 days. If the complaint is proven false, the complainant may face five years’ imprisonment and a fine up to ₹25 lakh, along with compensation for reputational damage.
False rape accusations would attract 7 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹10 lakh. Similarly, the bill pushes for gender-neutral domestic violence laws, proposing up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹5 lakh for filing false domestic violence complaints.
Workplace harassment laws, presently focused on women’s protection, would also be transformed into gender-neutral safeguards. Any individual proven guilty of lodging false workplace harassment allegations may face up to five years’ imprisonment and a penalty of ₹10 lakh.
Recognizing distress related to child custody disputes, the bill proposes shared parenting as the default outcome in all divorce cases unless proven contrary to the child’s interests. Additionally, any deliberate attempt by a parent to alienate the child from the other parent could lead to a fine of ₹10 lakh and imprisonment up to two years, marking one of the strongest legal measures proposed in Indian family law.
The bill introduces a rigorous framework to curb “trial by media,” a phenomenon often associated with high-profile allegations. It prohibits media houses and digital platforms from declaring an accused guilty before trial. Violations could invite a fine of ₹50 lakh and require a public apology within 48 hours.
Social media users spreading unverified allegations may face three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹25 lakh. Platforms would be required to remove defamatory content within 24 hours of a court order.
To ensure swift justice, the Central Government would be mandated to establish fast-track courts to handle false accusation cases and parental custody disputes. These courts must conclude proceedings within six months, addressing a long-standing complaint about prolonged litigation.
The bill allocates ₹3,650 crore for the period 2025-2030 to establish the Commission, provide legal aid, support mental health programmes, regulate media accountability, and strengthen domestic violence and child custody mechanisms.
Men’s rights activists and advocates such as Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj have welcomed the bill as “a ray of hope” amid rising male suicide rates and increasing reports of prolonged family court battles. Supporters argue that the bill represents an overdue move toward balanced justice that recognizes the vulnerabilities of all genders.
However, the bill remains a private member’s bill and will require broad political support to move forward in Parliament. Critics within gender rights circles caution that while misuse of laws is a real concern, reforms should not dilute existing protections for women.
