Yesterday, On 24th May, An Uttar Pradesh court sentenced a businessman to life imprisonment for brutally attacking his pregnant wife. The severe punishment highlights the gravity of the crime. The court’s decision reflects a strong stance against domestic violence
Uttar Pradesh: A court in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh sentenced a 47-year-old businessman to life imprisonment for a horrific crime committed against his pregnant wife in 2020. The man, identified as Pannalal Singh, who owned a sweet shop, allegedly attacked his wife Anita Devi in their home in an attempt to determine the sex of their unborn child.
According to the reports, Singh five daughters already and hoping for a son. In a disturbing act, he is said to have ripped open his wife’s stomach to check the sex of the foetus. While Anita Devi survived the brutal assault, the baby stillborn as a result of the attack.
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Munendra Pratap Singh, the government counsel, stated,
“Singh was apprehended on Thursday immediately following the court’s verdict of guilt. Subsequently, the court handed him a life sentence and levied a fine of Rs 50,000 in the case.”
On September 19, 2020, Singh allegedly attacked his wife Anita Devi at their home, where their eldest daughter was present. The daughter tried but failed to intervene and save her mother. After the assault, Singh fled the scene, and Devi rushed to the hospital. She survived the attack, but tragically, their unborn child did not.
Devi’s brother, Gollu, filed a First Information Report (FIR), alleging that Singh had been harassing and assaulting his sister for not giving birth to a son. Singh had been previously released from jail in March 2013, and after his release, he started harassing Gollu and pressuring him to compromise the case.
Gollu, who runs a general merchandise shop for a living, then filed another complaint against Singh.
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The businessman, whose identity has been withheld for legal reasons, accused of repeatedly abusing his wife physically throughout their marriage. The situation escalated when he assaulted her during her pregnancy, an act that not only endangered her life but also that of the unborn child. The case quickly drew the attention of local authorities after the victim admitted to a hospital with severe injuries.
This case sparked a broader discussion about domestic violence laws in India, with activists calling for more stringent measures and better protection for victims.
The life sentence handed down in this case seen as a significant step towards justice for victims of domestic abuse, particularly those who are pregnant and at increased risk.