A 37-year-old woman from the Juhapura area of Ahmedabad has taken a firm stand against alleged sustained abuse and harassment by filing a formal police complaint against her husband and in-laws. The complaint, registered at the women's police station in the west zone on Friday, details a distressing pattern of domestic violence, infidelity, and mental torture.
Allegations of Control, Abuse, and Infidelity
The complainant, who works as a producer, stated that the conflict began soon after her marriage. She alleged that her husband consistently objected to her modern clothing choices, such as wearing jeans, and criticized her for not following traditional customs like wearing a ghunghat (veil). According to her statement, both her husband and in-laws persistently found fault with her lifestyle and upbringing.
The situation reportedly turned violent, often triggered by her husband's alcohol consumption. "He would come home drunk and verbally abuse me, sometimes even resorting to physical violence," the woman claimed in her complaint. She described one incident that occurred just five days after the wedding. During a post-wedding ritual visit by her parents and relatives, her in-laws refused to sit on a sofa offered by her family. Later that night, her intoxicated husband allegedly became enraged over this incident and physically assaulted her.
A Pattern of Harassment and Public Humiliation
The alleged mistreatment extended throughout her stay with her in-laws. The woman accused her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law of constantly criticizing her cooking, attire, and overall lifestyle. She claimed they mentally harassed her, restricted her movements, and forced her to handle all household chores while still finding flaws in her work.
The harassment allegedly escalated during a family event in Ajmer, where a sister-in-law opposed her attendance, leading to a confrontation. This resulted in the couple leaving and traveling to Delhi, Manali, and Agra for 8-9 days. The return journey took a traumatic turn when her husband allegedly abandoned her for two hours at Mathura railway station. Upon his return, while in an intoxicated state, he publicly assaulted her at the station.
Discovery of Affair and Legal Action
The final breaking point came when the woman discovered evidence of her husband's extramarital affairs. "I found inappropriate messages on his laptop, which confirmed my suspicions about his affair," she stated. Despite confronting him, the alleged behavior continued, leaving her with no choice but to seek legal recourse.
Further adding to her distress were persistent remarks about dowry. She recounted that her in-laws would make derogatory comments about her family and belittle her for not bringing enough dowry. In a deeply concerning allegation, she also claimed that her husband and in-laws attempted to turn her daughter against her by telling the child false stories about her character.
The complaint now rests with the Ahmedabad police, who will investigate the serious allegations of domestic violence, mental cruelty, and dowry-related harassment. The case highlights the ongoing challenges many women face within marital homes, pushing them to approach authorities for justice and safety.
