Misuse of Gender-Specific Laws in India: A Critical Analysis of the Legal Framework and Its Impact on Men and Their Families

India’s gender-specific legal framework was conceived as a shield against centuries of patriarchal oppression and systemic violence against women. Laws such as Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and the stringent rape provisions under Section 375 IPC were enacted with the noble objective of protecting women. However, over the decades, a growing body of judicial opinion, empirical data, and legal scholarship has raised serious concerns about the selective misuse of these provisions. This paper undertakes a critical analysis of the gender-specific legal framework in India, examining its historical rationale, documented patterns of misuse, the consequent impact on men and their families, relevant judicial pronouncements, and the urgent need for balanced legal reform. The paper also presents the author’s considered opinion on how India must navigate the fine line between protecting genuine victims and preventing the weaponization of law.