In a shocking revelation, a woman who was missing for 18 years was found and brought before the Madhya Pradesh High Court earlier this week, where the court chastised her husband for knowingly misusing the legal system.
In 2006, at the age of 32, the woman left her home in Kharpadia village, Balaghat district, with her two young sons, escaping a life marred by domestic violence. Her disappearance followed relentless physical abuse from her husband, Nandkishore Rahangdale, as detailed in her harrowing testimony to the court.
Rahangdale, under the pretense of concern, filed a petition last month urging the court to direct police to locate his wife and children, claiming ignorance about their whereabouts. The High Court, upon learning the truth, imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Rahangdale for the frivolous petition, highlighting his awareness of the circumstances under which his wife had left.
The court’s inquiry began after it ordered the Balaghat Police to investigate the matter on July 28. A special team, led by Superintendent Sameer Saurabh, was formed and successfully located the woman after interviewing about 70 individuals, including her relatives.
During her statement in court, the woman recounted the severe abuse that forced her to flee for her safety and that of her children. Tragically, she revealed that her younger son, Mukund, passed away shortly after their escape, a testament to the severity of their prior living conditions.
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Justice Vishal Dhagat noted the grave nature of the allegations and the unnecessary burden placed on the judicial system due to the deceptive petition. “The petitioner was fully aware of his actions and the brutality he inflicted on his family. This misuse of the judicial process not only wasted valuable resources but also delayed justice for those genuinely in need,” Justice Dhagat remarked in his August 7 ruling.
