Bihar Women Seek Help as Husbands’ Extramarital Affairs Strain Long-Married Relationships

Patna (Bihar): The Bihar State Women’s Commission (BSWC) is witnessing a surge in complaints from wives troubled by their husbands’ extramarital relationships, some even after 25 years of marriage. On average, 4 to 5 out of 10–12 daily cases reported to the Commission involve marital affairs, highlighting a growing social concern.

Stories of Distress

A woman from Sipara, Patna, who married ten years ago, reported that her husband began an extramarital relationship after a decade of a seemingly happy marriage. Exhausted and distressed, she approached the Bihar State Women’s Commission, which issued two notices to her husband.

Similarly, a woman from Danapur shared that after 20 years of marriage, her husband’s infidelity surfaced. She filed a complaint, and the Commission initiated counseling sessions to try to salvage the relationship.

These cases represent a broader pattern across Bihar, affecting both urban and rural areas. Many women are coming forward even decades into their marriages, underscoring the severe emotional impact of broken trust in long-term relationships.

Commission’s Intervention

BSWC Chairperson Apsara expressed deep concern about the issue, stating that extramarital affairs in long-term marriages are increasingly contributing to domestic distress. She highlighted that complaints regarding husbands’ illicit relationships have been consistently rising over the past several months.

The Commission actively mediates between the parties, summoning husbands for counseling to help repair strained marriages. However, a major challenge is the lack of cooperation from husbands, many of whom ignore notices and fail to attend sessions. In such cases, the Commission collaborates with local police to ensure compliance.

Despite these hurdles, Apsara noted that counseling has had positive results in many cases, helping some troubled relationships recover and prevent further emotional harm.

This rising trend emphasizes the need for awareness, legal intervention, and social support to protect marital harmony and safeguard women’s emotional well-being in Bihar.