Surat Family Court Acid Attack: Husband Assaults Wife During Hearing
In a shocking incident at the Surat District Seva Sadan complex in Athwalines, a 75-year-old man allegedly attacked his 61-year-old wife with acid inside the family court on Friday morning. Following the assault, the accused reportedly attempted to poison himself. Both individuals were subsequently rushed to a hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Background of the Couple and Legal History
The couple had separated in 2017, after which the woman began residing with her daughter in Surat. Since their separation, the victim had filed multiple legal petitions against her husband. She submitted three maintenance and recovery petitions in the Surat family court in 2021, 2023, and 2025, along with two additional pleas in the Surat district court in 2021 and 2024.
This was not the first violent incident involving the accused. In 2023, he allegedly attacked his wife with a knife outside the district court, leading to an attempted murder case being registered against him. He was out on bail when he attended Friday's hearing for a maintenance and recovery matter.
Details of the Courtroom Attack
According to the victim's lawyer, the couple was present in court to address maintenance and recovery issues. The accused, seated directly behind his wife, reportedly refused to accept certain conditions in the settlement. He had been pressuring her to withdraw the attempted murder case from 2023. When she insisted on proceeding with the legal cases, he allegedly pulled out a bottle of acid and threw it on her.
The attack resulted in severe injuries to the victim. She suffered damage to the lens of her left eye and sustained burns on her mouth and various parts of her body. Additionally, splashes of acid affected lawyers seated nearby, though their conditions were not specified.
Police Response and Investigation
Umra police promptly arrived at the scene and initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the accused's access to acid and his actions leading up to the assault. The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety within judicial premises and the escalation of domestic disputes into public violence.
This tragic event underscores the severe consequences of unresolved marital conflicts and the potential for retaliation in legal settings. It raises critical questions about security measures in family courts and the protection of individuals involved in contentious divorce and maintenance proceedings.
