Cases coming to the Women’s Commission in Bhopal.
Two marital dispute cases heard during a public hearing at the Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Commission have highlighted the complex nature of family conflicts, with both husbands and wives making serious allegations against each other.
The cases were among 30 pending matters taken up by the Commission on Monday.
Case 1: Husband says wife left after becoming assistant director
A woman, who recently became an Assistant Director in the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, filed a complaint before the Women’s Commission accusing her husband of mental harassment and financial disputes. She has also sought a divorce after nearly 20 years of marriage.
The woman did not appear during the hearing. However, her husband, a professor at a government college, told the Commission that he wanted to continue the marriage.
“I still want to live with my wife. She left without informing me and took our son with her. I am even willing to live at her parents’ house if that helps save the marriage,” he said.
According to the husband, his wife’s behaviour changed after she secured the government job.
‘If she was harassed, how did we plan IVF?’
The husband argued that the couple had a child through IVF treatment, claiming this contradicted allegations of long-term mental harassment.
He also said that after his wife left, his mother suffered a second paralytic attack.
Calling it their second marriage, he said divorce at this stage of life would leave him with nowhere to go.
Public hearing is also going on in the Women’s Commission on Tuesday.
Case 2: Husband claims threat to life
In another case, a husband alleged before the Commission that his wife was involved in a relationship with another woman and claimed he feared for his life.
He told the Commission that he had already submitted documents and evidence regarding his allegations before a court.
During counselling, the husband claimed he had overheard conversations between his wife and her alleged partner discussing plans to “remove him from the way.”
“I fear she may poison my food. If something happens to me, who will be responsible?” he told the Commission.
The wife denied the allegations.
Wife alleges dowry harassment and abuse
The woman, in turn, accused her husband and his family of demanding gold, cash and other valuables from the very beginning of the marriage.
She alleged that when her family refused to provide financial assistance, she was subjected to harassment and abuse.
She further claimed she was repeatedly taunted, assaulted and threatened.
Allegations of hidden cameras and private videos
The woman alleged that cameras had been installed inside her bedroom without her knowledge and that private videos were secretly recorded.
She also claimed that her intimate photographs and videos were circulated on social media, damaging her reputation.
According to her, complaints regarding these allegations have already been submitted to the police and other authorities.
Claims of forced abortion and physical abuse
The woman further alleged that she was locked inside rooms and bathrooms on several occasions, physically assaulted and threatened with death.
She claimed her husband forced her to undergo an abortion against her will, after which she remained hospitalised for 10 to 12 days.
She also alleged that she was abandoned by her in-laws and had been living alone in Bhopal for years, with her family in Nagpur supporting her financially.
Additionally, she accused her husband of having an extramarital relationship with his maternal aunt’s daughter and alleged inappropriate behaviour by her father-in-law.
Husband rejects all allegations
The husband denied all allegations made by his wife, calling them baseless.
He said he had also approached the police with complaints but alleged that no appropriate action had been taken. He further claimed to possess documents and evidence supporting his version, which have already been submitted before the court.
The Women’s Commission heard submissions from both parties and is expected to continue proceedings in accordance with the law.
