The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a woman advocate’s brutal assault in Delhi by her husband. The court ordered an inquiry into allegations that three hospitals refused her emergency medical treatment despite her critical condition. The victim, who practices at Karkardooma Courts, sustained multiple stab injuries to vital organs in the attack.
During the hearing, it was revealed that the victim’s husband allegedly attacked her with a sharp-edged weapon. Despite seeking immediate medical help and making PCR calls, she was turned away by three hospitals before receiving treatment at AIIMS Trauma Centre. The court has directed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged denial of emergency treatment.
The Chief Justice-led Bench emphasized the need to probe the hospitals’ non-admission of the victim. The accused husband has been arrested, and the victim, initially treated at AIIMS, is now in stable condition at a private hospital. The court has instructed the Delhi Commissioner of Police to assign a senior police officer, preferably a woman, to oversee a fair investigation.
The Supreme Court also ordered the police to locate the victim’s two minor daughters, reportedly taken by her in-laws after the assault. The victim has three daughters, with the eldest in the custody of her maternal grandparents. The whereabouts of the younger two children are currently unknown. The court directed efforts to find the minor children and decided to keep the eldest daughter with the maternal grandparents for the time being.
Observing the victim’s urgent need for financial support for medical treatment and child care, the Supreme Court directed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide interim financial assistance by Tuesday.
