In a remarkable turn of events in Ahmedabad, a mother and her daughter-in-law joined forces to take legal action against the woman's own son. The collective effort resulted in a total of five official complaints and two First Information Reports (FIRs) being filed against the man, highlighting an uncommon alliance in a family conflict.
Details of the Assault Outside Court
According to police records, the incident unfolded on December 23 outside the Sevalia court in Vadodara. A 55-year-old woman from the Sayajipura area on Ajwa Road had gone there with a relative to attend a hearing related to her daughter-in-law's maintenance case. In the afternoon, while seated outside the court, her son allegedly confronted her.
The man was reportedly angered by his mother's support for his wife in the ongoing legal matter. He began verbally abusing her. When the elderly woman objected to the harsh language, the situation turned physically violent. The accused allegedly slapped his mother near her ear.
The daughter-in-law and another relative present tried to intervene and protect the older woman. However, the accused reportedly turned on them as well, slapping them during the ensuing scuffle. The commotion attracted the attention of bystanders near the court, who stepped in to separate everyone involved.
Police Action and Unusual Solidarity
The assaulted woman later sought medical treatment at a government hospital. Following this, on December 25, she formally approached the Sevalia police station to lodge a complaint. Police officials noted that the case stood out due to the mutual support between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
"In most domestic violence cases, the two are on opposing sides. Here, the mother-in-law stood as a witness to the abuse allegedly faced by the daughter-in-law, while the daughter-in-law supported her mother-in-law's allegations. Such cross-support is uncommon," a police official stated.
The police have registered the complaint under relevant legal sections and have launched an investigation. As part of the probe, authorities are recording statements from witnesses who were present on the court premises and have also sought medical reports to corroborate the allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The case underscores a significant shift in traditional family dynamics often seen in domestic disputes. The joint front presented by the two women has strengthened their legal position, leading to the filing of multiple complaints and two separate FIRs.
Investigators are treating the matter seriously, given the location of the incident at a court and the severity of the allegations. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how familial alliances in legal battles are perceived and handled by the justice system.
