In recent years India has witnessed intensified public debate around the dual phenomena of persistent violence against women and concerns about alleged misuse of laws enacted to protect women—especially in matrimonial and domestic contexts. This paper critically examines the societal and individual impacts of such alleged misuse on men and on broader social structures during 2024–2025. Drawing on official crime statistics, select judicial rulings, empirical studies, and media investigations, the study situates the controversy within evolving criminal justice practice and public discourse. It argues that while women’s protection laws (e.g., Section 498A IPC, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, and related provisions) remain essential for redress and deterrence, credible evidence of their misuse—where present—produces real harms: reputational damage, economic loss, psychological trauma for accused men and their families, erosion of trust in legal institutions, and polarized gender discourse. The paper analyses how courts and policy actors have responded (including procedural safeguards and reminders about due process), synthesizes quantitative and qualitative evidence on prevalence and outcomes, and offers policy recommendations to preserve effective protection for victims while minimizing opportunities for abuse. The paper concludes that reform must be evidence-driven, protect due process, bolster victim support, and reduce adversarial escalation through mediation and stronger investigatory standards.