Patna: Wives across Bihar are increasingly approaching the State Women’s Commission over their husbands’ extramarital affairs, with officials receiving up to 10 complaints daily.
The cases often involve long-standing marriages, with some relationships spanning more than two decades. In many instances, wives only discover the affair after years of secrecy, prompting them to seek intervention.
The Bihar State Women’s Commission has been taking these complaints seriously, summoning husbands for counselling sessions. However, officials report that many husbands fail to attend despite repeated calls, forcing the Commission to involve local police to ensure compliance.
Apsara, Chairperson of the Commission, said: “We have been receiving numerous complaints over the past several months. Every day, four to five cases are directly related to extramarital affairs. Counselling sessions have helped salvage many deteriorating relationships.”
Cases are reported from both urban and rural areas. Some involve marriages dating back 25 years, indicating that even long-term relationships are not immune to infidelity.
Two recent cases illustrate the trend. Soni Kumari (name changed), a resident of Sipara, Patna, has been married for 10 years. She discovered her husband’s affair three years ago and filed a complaint; the Commission has issued two notices to him. Pinky Kumari (name changed) from Danapur, married for 20 years with grown-up children, has also reported her husband’s two-year-long affair. The Commission has called him for counselling.
Officials say that although many husbands are initially reluctant to participate, the intervention often has a positive effect on relationships, providing a path to resolution for the affected families.
