Rajya Sabha MP introduces National Commission for Men Bill following Pune death case
Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Friday introduced the National Commission for Men Bill, 2025 in Parliament, citing the recent death of a realtor in Pune as an instance highlighting the need for institutional support for male victims.
The Bill proposes the establishment of a National Commission for Men to address grievances, recommend legal reforms, and ensure equal protection under the law regardless of gender. Mittal, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member, said that the case involving Ketan Agarwal, who died after falling from a cliff at Lohagad Fort on June 18, underscored the necessity of such a body.
In a post on social media platform X, Mittal described the incident as 'deeply disturbing' and called for a fair investigation. 'Ketan and his family deserve a fair, thorough, and impartial investigation, and above all, justice. I introduced the National Commission for Men Bill in Parliament. Every victim deserves justice, support, and equal protection under the law,' he wrote.
He added: 'The Ketan case is a reminder that men, too, can be victims. They deserve institutional support, legal protection, and a platform where their voices are heard. Justice must be equal for everyone, irrespective of gender.'
The case, initially registered as an accidental death, was later converted into a murder investigation after evidence suggested foul play. Police have arrested two individuals, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, on allegations of conspiracy to push Agarwal off the cliff. Investigators have cited recovered deleted phone data and alleged coded conversations as evidence.
On Friday, a court sent the accused to 14-day judicial custody after they refused to undergo polygraph tests. The court observed that such tests cannot be conducted without the accused's consent, as per legal provisions.
The introduction of the Bill has sparked debate about the need for a dedicated commission for men, with supporters arguing that existing institutions often overlook male victims, while critics contend that such a commission could divert attention from women's issues. The Bill is expected to be examined by a parliamentary committee before further consideration.
