The Bombay High Court observed that many women facing severe domestic violence continue staying in harmful marriages due to social stigma and orthodox pressures, noting the sad reality that victims often remain despite grave threats to their lives.
The Bombay High Court acknowledged a troubling aspect of Indian society: women enduring severe domestic violence often choose to remain in their marriages, even at significant personal risk.
Justice Madhav J Jamdar expressed this concern while dismissing the anticipatory bail applications of two individuals accused of inflicting severe cruelty and dowry-related harassment on their daughter-in-law.
The Court denied pre-arrest bail to Anil Kisan Lokhande and his wife.
Lokhande, a politically connected sugar baron affiliated with the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, is now expected to run for candidacy within the faction led by the late Ajit Pawar of the NCP.
In its ruling against the Lokhandes, the Court highlighted that the daughter-in-law’s choice to remain married despite facing extreme mistreatment from her marital family should not be interpreted as an indication that the criminal case is false or exaggerated.
The Court remarked,
“This is a case where in spite of facing grave and serious harassment, abuses, assaults and even the burns as also serious threat to the life, the complainant wanted to save her marriage.”
Additionally, the Court pointed out a stark reality in Indian society, stating,
“The same is a sad reality of Indian society, where many victims of domestic violence in spite of facing grave threat to their life continue the matrimonial relationship as due to the orthodox atmosphere, they face social stigma if they separate from husband’s family or take divorce.”
The first information report (FIR) in this matter was lodged on December 5, 2025, at Vimantal Police Station in Pune, with claims of marital cruelty made against the woman’s husband and in-laws.
According to the complaint, the marriage took place on August 22, 2023, during which the woman’s family incurred expenses of approximately Rs.2 crore and provided 55 tolas (550 grams) of gold, 2 kilograms of silver, and a Fortuner car.
However, it was alleged that the husband and his family repeatedly demanded additional gold and money to settle a Rs.2 crore loan.
The allegations detailed continuous physical and mental abuse, including forced miscarriage through pills during pregnancy, threats of disseminating videos for unnatural sex, and inappropriate conduct from the father-in-law.
The Court referenced WhatsApp messages the complainant sent to her family group, in which she stated,
“your daughter is very strong”
Also expressed a desire to survive for them, shedding light on the emotional torment she endured from constant abuse and harassment.
The Court also noted that despite the FIR being filed on December 5, 2025, and an Additional Sessions Judge’s rejection of the accused’s anticipatory bail request on December 15, 2025, the accused had yet to be apprehended and were reportedly evading arrest.
The judge affirmed that anticipatory bail is an extraordinary remedy and that custodial interrogation of the accused was warranted given the serious allegations and the potential for witness tampering.
Also Read: Women, Domestic Violence, And Misuse: Dangerous Narratives
Consequently, the High Court rejected the anticipatory bail applications submitted by Anil Lokhande and his wife.
Senior advocate Girish Kulkarni served as amicus curiae in the case, while senior advocate Rajiv Chavan, along with advocates Sonam Pandey, Rahul Thakur, Akshay Kumar, Sachin Gade, and Asmi Desai, represented the accused in-laws.
Additional public prosecutor RV Newton represented the State, and Advocate Surbhi Agrawal appeared for the complainant.
Case Title: Anil Lokhande & Anr v. State of Maharashtra