• Urgent complaint regarding marital abandonment, financial neglect, and emotional distress

I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding marriage fraud, financial neglect, and emotional abandonment committed by my husband, who resides in The Colony, Texas and is currently employed at JP Morgan Chase, Plano on an H-1B visa.
I entered the U.S. on an H-4 visa on 8th February 2023 after leaving my stable job at KPMG at Gurgaon, India, based on my husband's repeated assurances that he would support my education and career while awaiting his I-140 approval. However, after I made this life-altering decision, he failed to fulfill his promises, abandoned me emotionally and financially and possibly committed fraud for tax benefits.
Key Issues:

1. Marital Abandonment & No Communication
I had a confirmed return ticket to the U.S. for April 14, 2024, but my husband and his family asked me not to return, without any legal separation or divorce proceedings.
He has not made any efforts to communicate or attend marriage counseling despite repeated requests, leaving me in limbo.
His actions amount to spousal neglect and abandonment, as I am struggling alone in India, with no clarity on my future or legal rights.
2. Financial Neglect & Sudden Restriction of Access
I am still listed on our lease agreement in The Colony, Texas, yet he has not provided any financial support since I left for India.
Upon confronting him about a strip club transaction, he immediately changed his Chase bank app password, restricted my access to financial resources, and stopped responding.
He previously contributed ₹18,000 INR per month toward my wedding loan EMIs, but stopped payments without discussion after March 7, 2024.
I had to take a lower-paying job in Gurgaon due to this situation, significantly impacting my financial stability.
3. Potential Marriage Fraud for Tax Benefits
He only communicated properly for one week when he needed my signature for tax filing and then cut off all contact again.
He asked me whether to file jointly or separately, suggesting he was strategizing to maximize his tax refund, yet he never informed me of his final decision.
His behavior raises serious concerns about whether he married me to benefit from tax refunds and later abandoned me.
4. Substance Abuse & Emotional Distress
I was forced to leave the U.S. because of his excessive alcohol and drug use, which was damaging our marriage.
On December 31, 2023, during an argument over his drinking, he threatened self-harm, causing severe emotional distress.
His substance abuse continues unchecked, and he has made no effort to seek help.
5. Infidelity & Deceptive Behavior
When I called for a counseling discussion, I heard a woman’s voice in the background, after which he immediately disconnected and has not contacted me since.
On March 28th Friday(usa), I found transactions from a strip club, confirming my suspicions of infidelity.
His sister tried to justify his actions instead of acknowledging his deception.
Asked 4 days ago in Family Law
Religion: Hindu

4 answers received in 1 hour.

Lawyers are available now to answer your questions.

15 Answers

File for divorce on grounds of mental cruelty 

 

2) seek interim maintenance and alimony from husband 

 

3) also file DV case seek alternative accommodation ,maintenance and compensation fir mental torture undergone by you 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
98121 Answers
7973 Consultations

Yes, you can file a police complaint in the USA for marital abandonment, financial neglect, and possible fraud. However, civil legal action may be more effective. Here’s what you can do:


In the USA (Texas)

  1. Report Abandonment & Financial Neglect – File a complaint with The Colony Police or District Attorney.

  2. Marriage Fraud & Immigration Complaint – Report to USCIS & IRS if he misused marriage for tax benefits.

  3. Restraining Order (if needed) – If emotional abuse or threats persist.

  4. Spousal Support & Divorce – Consult a Texas attorney for alimony & asset division.


In India

  1. FIR under Section 498A IPC (Cruelty by Husband) – File at Gurgaon police station.

  2. Section 125 CrPC (Maintenance Claim) – Demand financial support.

  3. Legal Notice – Send a notice demanding reconciliation or legal action.


Next Steps

  • Gather evidence (texts, transactions, tax records).

  • Consult a US & Indian lawyer to proceed with legal claims.



Would you like help drafting a legal notice?  Thank you. Shubham Goy

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
918 Answers
4 Consultations

You are at present in India so file complaint in India only 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
98121 Answers
7973 Consultations

You can seek all reliefs and enforce your matrimonial rights  against him in locally. You can force him to appear in local Court, you can seek LOC, red corner notice on him and seek his extradition from U.S. the  India if you proceed properly. I am forwarding the law against harassment of wife by husband and his family. You will know all the law that is in your favor. Make use of whatever is required for you.

You have many options. Law is in favor of women in India.  Following  remedies are available to you…

  1. Under Domestic Violence Act, 2005—
  2. You can submit an application to the Magistrate or police. A notice will be served on husband and he will be asked to attend the court on a particular date through Indian Embassy/Consulate. If he fails to attend court, he will be extradited to India . You can obtain any or all of the following  orders…
  3. Monetary reliefs:
  4. To meet the expensed incurred and losses suffered as a result of domestic violence;
  5. Loss of earnings;

  • Medical expenses;

  1. Maintenance;
  2. Lump sum payment.
  3. Compensation: compensation and damages for injuries, including mental torture and emotional distress.

  4. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 125: you can obtain monthly maintenance for yourself.

  5. Indian Penal Code, 1860: You can file criminal case under Section 498A/85 BNS, 2023 if there is cruelty or demands of dowry for which  punishment is imprisonment upto three years.

After filing cases you can also intimate his employer, that will affected him employment.

 

 

 

Section 13 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955  provides for divorce on following  grounds like..

  1. Having sex outside marriage, having girl/boy friend amounts to having sex outside marriage.
  2. Desertion (neglecting husband/wife) for two years,
  3. Cruelty, it can be physical or mental direct or indirect. You can file divorce on this ground.

Contact local lawyer and engage him it take 1 – 2 years for divorce case.                    

Document required…                                                                                                                   

  1. Aadhar card
  2. Proof residence.
  3. Proof age of both.
  4. Passport photographs of both.
  5. Proof of marriage, invitation card.
  6. Marriage photograph with both.
  7. Divorce petition.

All above proceedings can be completed within a week. 

No second marriage till you get divorce.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
4774 Answers
42 Consultations

A U.S. Court does have jurisdiction to entertain any complaint  from a Indian citizen residing in India, what I understand is you are in India. But any Indian Court have jurisdiction of take any complaint  against Indian national residing abroad and committing offences criminal/civil against Indian citizen residing in India  or abroad. Such Indian Court have full power to enforce its orders abroad through local law enforcing agencies of that country. You can write all his conduct violating local laws like drug abuse—a serious offence in U.S.—to his employer. You are victim, nothing will reflect on you but will certainly affect his present and future, even extension of his visa.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
4774 Answers
42 Consultations

If you complain about substance abuse your husband will lose his job and you won’t get any maintenance 

 

mention all details of harassment undegone by you in your police complaint 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
98121 Answers
7973 Consultations

If you feel that this marriage cannot be continued then you can file a divorce case on the grounds of mental cruelty.

 

If you want only monetary assistance from him then you can file a maintenance case against him seeking a good sum of maintenance for sustaining the standard of life at par with him.

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
88323 Answers
2388 Consultations

This may not come under criminal law and the police may not entertain complaint for this reason. But you can file a petition seeking spousal support maintenance amount in a court in USA .

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
88323 Answers
2388 Consultations

I am afraid if the US police will ever entertain any complaint regarding his intoxication or adulterous life or abandoning you or for not supporting you financially.

You cannot claim access to his bank account or personal information as a right.

Your case may be be entertained by US court if you plan to file it from India.

The option before you is to file a maintenance in India get his property attached towards security for maintenance amount.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
88323 Answers
2388 Consultations

We have already advised you as to steps to be taken in India 

 

2) ypu can file DV case against your husband

 

3) you can file petition for RCR if you want to stay with your husband 

 

4) in alternative file for divorce in India seek interim maintenance and alimony 

 

5) you can file for spousal support in USA if husband refuses to maintain you 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
98121 Answers
7973 Consultations

The issues narrated by you may attract offences under domestic violence act.

Hence you may decide about giving a complaint under domestic violence act 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
88323 Answers
2388 Consultations

  1. Any relief under vawa is available only U.S. nationals or violence against woman residing in U.S.
  2. Only if any specific information is given, then only Uscis will take action.
  3. Same with irs, it acts only of specific information.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
4774 Answers
42 Consultations

Yes you can file police complaint there but same can trigger divorce proceedings from husband in the said matter

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
33307 Answers
219 Consultations

Since you've already filed a police complaint in The Colony, Texas, it's uncertain whether U.S. police will actively pursue an investigation, especially for civil matters like abandonment and financial neglect. However, your next steps should focus on civil and immigration remedies in both the U.S. and India to protect your financial rights and legal status.


Steps to Take in the U.S.:

  1. Contact USCIS & IRS – Report possible marriage fraud & tax fraud (VAWA self-petition may be an option if abuse is proven).

  2. Legal Action for Spousal Support – Consult a family law attorney in Texas to file for spousal maintenance under Texas laws.

  3. Restraining Order (if needed) – If you feel unsafe, apply for a protective order in Texas.

  4. Notify His Employer – His employer cannot force him to pay, but HR may intervene if workplace policies are violated (substance abuse, fraud).

  5. Consult a U.S. Immigration Attorney – If he tries to revoke your H-4 visa, you may have legal options to remain in the U.S.


Steps to Take in India:

  1. File FIR (Section 498A IPC) – If you face mental cruelty or financial abuse, file a case in Gurgaon.

  2. File for Maintenance (Section 125 CrPC) – Demand financial support from your husband through Indian courts.

  3. Legal Notice for Reconciliation/Divorce – If he refuses to communicate, send a legal notice demanding clarity on your marital status.

  4. Protection Against Harassment – If his family is pressuring you, seek legal action to prevent further abuse.


Since you are not returning to the U.S. for now, focus on financial security and legal claims in India. If you decide to pursue legal action in the U.S., hiring an attorney there will be crucial.

Would you like help drafting a legal notice or complaint to USCIS/IRS?

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
918 Answers
4 Consultations

Your written submissions are showing that you are subjected to cruelty from your husband 

- Hence, you should know, that legally you are having following right  :-

 1. As per law, A wife has the right to claim decent living standards and basic comforts of life from her husband. Hence for claiming the maintenance, you can file a petition under section 125 CrPc.

- Your husband is under legal obligation to provide the same to you at any cost, even he is working or not. 

2. Law entitles wives a basic right to reside in the matrimonial/ home, whether the house owned by her husband or his parents, a rented property or officially provided to him. 

- Hence, for claiming your residential right, medical expenses etc, and also for teaching a lesson to the family members of your husband, who subjected you torture & harassment, you can file a petition under the provisions of Domestic Violence Act.

3. As per the Supreme Court, A wife has complete ownership rights over all her Streedhan, the gifts and money given to her before and after marriage. The denial of Streedhan to the wife makes the husband and in-laws liable for criminal charges. 

- And further, if the husband or his family members subjected a woman to cruelty for the dowry demand, then they can be booked under Section 498-A.

- You can lodge a written complaint against your husband, in the Women cell/Mahila Police, after mentioning all the details of torture & harassment. 

- The women cell firstly will try to reconcile the dispute; otherwise, they will lodge an FIR against all the person, who subjected you cruelty. .

- If you are presently residing in India, then you cannot file a case or complaint in US Court, hence you should file the cases in India , and the Court has power to direct him to appear , otherwise his passport can also be impounded. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
15042 Answers
228 Consultations

Ask a Lawyer

Get legal answers from lawyers in 1 hour. It's quick, easy, and anonymous!
  Ask a lawyer