Suchitra Pal’s Story

Dec 01, 2018

Suchitra had entered a relationship with a man without the knowledge of her parents, as she knew that they would not approve of him. Meanwhile, exploiting her vulnerability, the man was exerting sustained pressure on her to provide him with money. And Suchitra would oblige by giving him her gold ornaments and money. After a while, he started threatening her and pressurised her to sign on some papers. Later, it became apparent that Suchitra had actually signed on a marriage registration paper. The man now began to blackmail Suchitra regularly for money saying he would tell her parents that they were 'married'. After a while, she had no option but to inform her parents about what had happened.

Suchitra and her parents lodged a case in the High Court. Utterly confused with the court proceedings and the indifferent attitude of the lawyer, coupled with the pressures of conservative family members who had no qualms about blaming Suchitra and her parents for the trouble that had befallen on the family, she and her parents were under immense pressure to settle the matter quietly and on any terms. However, Suchira and her parents refused to succumb to pressure. They decided to approach Swayam.

Swayam provided Suchitra and her mother with regular counselling and a detailed safety plan was worked out with Suchitra, as she and her brother were followed and threatened by the abuser and his allies. Suchitra's case was referred to the State Legal Aid Services Authority and the Chairperson took personal interest in the case. Apart from monitoring the legal proceedings of the case, the chairperson also encouraged and motivated Suchitra to carry on her fight. Due to the pressure created by Swayam and the State Legal Aid Services Authority, a relative of the abuser finally gave a proposal to settle the matter. After a series of discussions, it was decided that the matter would be settled through a legal decree to be effected though the Lok Adalat (People's Court). Finally, after a struggle of more than two years, Suchitra was able to get a decree that nullified the 'so called' marriage. Meanwhile Suchitra decided to pursue a career and mustered the courage to travel on her own without any escort. Suchitra now has an excellent job and is settled and happy.