National Commission for Men Demand Rekindled After Ketan Agarwal Murder Case: Should India Create a Statutory Body for Men's Rights?

The demand for establishing a National Commission for Men (NCM) has once again entered the national spotlight following the alleged murder of Pune-based businessman Ketan Agarwal, a case that has sparked widespread debate over whether India requires a statutory institution dedicated to addressing issues affecting men.

The renewed demand was made by Ashok Kumar Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP, who cited the Ketan Agarwal case as evidence that “men, too, can be victims” and deserve institutional support and legal protection. Mittal reiterated his appeal by sharing a video of his speech in Parliament from December 2025, when he introduced the National Commission for Men Bill, 2025, a Private Member’s Bill currently pending before the Rajya Sabha.

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A Case That Reignited the Debate

The demand comes amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal (26), a Pune-based realtor who allegedly lost his life after being pushed off a cliff at Lohagad Fort. His fiancée Siya Goyal (20) and her alleged associate Chetan Chaudhary (22) have been arrested in connection with the case.

On July 3, a Pune court remanded both accused to 14 days of judicial custody until July 16, while rejecting the police’s request for extended custody. The court also declined a request for polygraph examinations after both accused refused to undergo lie-detector tests.

While the criminal investigation continues and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, the case has triggered a wider public conversation on gender-neutral justice and institutional mechanisms available to male victims.

What Ashok Kumar Mittal Said

Sharing his views on social media, Mittal wrote:

“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.”

He also stated that every victim deserves equal protection under the law and called for a fair and impartial investigation into the Ketan Agarwal case.

What is the National Commission for Men Bill, 2025?

The National Commission for Men Bill, 2025 is a Private Member’s Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2025. Unlike government bills, Private Member’s Bills are introduced by Members of Parliament who are not ministers.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a statutory National Commission for Men, broadly modeled on the existing National Commission for Women (NCW).

Among its major proposals are:

Protection of men’s constitutional and legal rights.
Investigation into grievances concerning alleged violations of men’s rights.
Research on issues including male suicide, mental health, unemployment, domestic abuse, health disparities and child custody disputes.
Public awareness campaigns promoting emotional well-being, healthy masculinity and gender sensitivity.
Powers similar to those of a civil court while conducting inquiries.
Representation from experts in law, sociology, psychology, public administration and social work.

Importantly, the Bill explicitly states that nothing in its provisions shall dilute or affect the legal protections already available to women under existing laws. It further restricts the proposed Commission from intervening in complaints filed by women unless a competent court declares such complaints to be false, malicious or an abuse of legal process.

Can the Bill Become Law?

Although the proposal has generated fresh public discussion, constitutional experts note that Private Member’s Bills rarely become law in India.

According to parliamentary records, only 14 Private Member’s Bills have ever been enacted since Independence, and none has been passed by both Houses of Parliament since 1970. Therefore, while the Bill has succeeded in initiating debate, its chances of becoming legislation without government backing remain limited.

Existing Institutional Framework

India presently has the National Commission for Women, established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, which became operational in 1992. The Commission reviews legal safeguards for women, recommends legislative reforms and facilitates grievance redressal.

Supporters of a National Commission for Men argue that a comparable body could address issues uniquely affecting men without undermining existing protections for women. Critics, however, maintain that gender-neutral reforms within existing institutions may be a more appropriate solution than creating separate statutory bodies.

The Road Ahead

The Ketan Agarwal case has undoubtedly revived a long-standing discussion about gender-neutral access to justice in India. Whether the National Commission for Men Bill progresses beyond the introduction stage remains uncertain, but the debate surrounding institutional support for male victims has gained renewed national attention.

For now, the Bill remains pending before Parliament, while the Ketan Agarwal murder investigation continues under judicial scrutiny.