New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday took note of the brutal assault on a woman advocate allegedly by her husband, and directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to hand over the probe to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer in the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) or Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took suo motu action in the matter. The bench also asked the investigating officer to look into the aspect of three hospitals refusing admission to the victim. The apex court passed a slew of directions. The bench noted that the complaint alleges the victim’s in-laws took away her two minor children, and their whereabouts are unknown.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the police, informed the bench that an FIR was registered. Bhati submitted that the victim’s husband, who is the prime accused, was arrested on the intervening night of April 25 and 26. The bench said it took suo motu action after a letter sought its urgent intervention in the case.
The bench directed the police to find out the whereabouts of the two minor children. The bench asked the investigating officer to submit a status report on the probe. The accused, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from the Khajuri Khas area on Sunday. Kumar allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22, police said.
“The Police Authorities will find out the whereabouts of the two minor girl children, who are stated to have been taken away by the parents of the prime accused. If they are being well taken care of and looked after by their paternal grandmother, the current arrangement can continue till appropriate directions are issued on the next date of hearing,” said the bench, in its order.
The bench said the custody of the eldest daughter shall continue with the maternal grandparents and their family members, with whom she is presently staying.
“Keeping all the attending circumstances and the fact that the victim is seemingly in dire need of financial assistance, especially to undergo treatment and to look after her minor daughters, we direct the National Legal Services Authority, through its Member Secretary, to release an interim sum of Rs.3 lakhs in favour of the victim. The amount shall be transferred to her bank account forthwith, and in any case by tomorrow,” said the apex court.
It said the investigating officer shall inform it regarding the ongoing investigation in the status report to be filed before the next date of hearing. The apex court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 11, 2026.
