In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court emphasized that men, like women, can be victims of physical and mental cruelty in marital relationships and are entitled to equal protection under the law. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made these observations while denying anticipatory bail to a woman accused of severely injuring her husband by pouring boiling water mixed with chili powder on him.
Equality in Law
“The notion that only women suffer physical or mental cruelty in marriages is contrary to the hard realities of life in many cases,” Justice Sharma remarked. The Court rejected the argument that the accused deserved leniency solely because of her gender, stating that such reasoning is inherently biased and violates principles of equality and justice.
“Just as women deserve protection from violence, men too are entitled to the same safeguards. Gender cannot be a shield against accountability for serious crimes,” the Court noted.
Case Details
The case involved a woman who allegedly poured hot water on her husband’s eyes, chest, and neck while he was asleep on January 1. She then locked him and their three-month-old daughter in the room, took his phone to prevent him from seeking help, and fled the scene. The injured husband, writhing in pain, was unable to call for medical assistance until help arrived.
The husband had earlier filed a police complaint, alleging he had married the accused under threats of a false rape case. He further claimed that the woman had a history of marrying multiple men and filing similar complaints against them.
No Leniency for Gender-Based Arguments
The accused sought anticipatory bail, arguing she was a mother of a three-month-old child and had been harassed by her husband. However, the Court dismissed these claims, highlighting her deliberate and violent actions.
“It would be a travesty of justice to treat such a serious offense with leniency solely due to the perpetrator’s gender,” the Court said. It added that the pain and trauma caused by grievous injuries remain the same, irrespective of whether the victim is a man or a woman.
Addressing Societal Bias
Justice Sharma also pointed to societal biases that often disregard male victims of domestic violence. “Men who are victims of violence at the hands of their wives face unique challenges, including societal disbelief and stigma. Such stereotypes perpetuate the false belief that men cannot suffer violence in domestic relationships,” the judgment stated.
Denial of Bail
The Court rejected the accused’s claim that an argument had led to the incident, noting her lack of explanation for the injuries, her flight from the scene, and her failure to join the investigation. It also dismissed her plea for leniency as a mother, observing that she had left her infant daughter in a locked room with her injured husband.
Considering the severity of the injuries, the deliberate nature of the crime, and the need for further investigation, the Court denied her anticipatory bail plea. “Creating a special class of leniency for women in such cases would erode the principles of fairness and justice,” the Court concluded.
