The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the case of knife attack on a woman lawyer in Karkardooma area of Delhi. The case was heard by the bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. During the hearing, the victim’s female lawyer told the court that her husband brutally attacked her with a knife. She immediately informed PCR and her brother and went to three different hospitals for treatment, but all the hospitals refused to treat her considering the case to be serious. During this time, his in-laws were said to be absconding.
The accused was arrested
Chief Justice Surya Kant said that for this reason the court took suo motu cognizance of the matter as soon as the complaint was received. At the same time, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the accused has been arrested and has been sent on remand.
Police registered FIR
It was told that the victim was first treated at AIIMS, after which she was admitted to a private hospital. Where his condition is now said to be stable. The police have registered an FIR in the matter.
The victim did not get immediate medical care
During the hearing, the Chief Justice raised serious questions over the hospitals’ refusal to provide emergency treatment and asked why the victim was not given immediate medical care.
The accused left the victim outside the house
The court also noted that the woman has three daughters, aged 12 years, 4 years and 1 year. The lawyer assisting the court said that after the attack, the in-laws took two small girls with them and their whereabouts are still unknown. The elder daughter was left outside the house at night by the accused husband, who was later found by the police. Right now he is with his maternal grandparents.
The investigation should be handed over to a senior police officer
The Supreme Court said that the investigation should be fair and no culprit should be spared. For this the court gave some important orders. Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked to hand over the investigation to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer (ACP or DCP level). Police have been ordered to immediately locate the two missing girls. The elder daughter will remain with her maternal grandparents for the time being.
The first three hospitals refused to admit him.
The court also expressed displeasure over the fact that the first three hospitals refused to admit the injured woman. A hospital provided only first aid, after which he was admitted to AIIMS at around 6 am. The court has asked the police to investigate this entire matter and submit a report.
Financial help should be given to the victim
Considering the condition of the woman and her financial problems, the Supreme Court has directed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to immediately provide interim financial assistance to the victim, so that she can get her treatment done and take care of her daughters. At the end of the hearing, the Chief Justice wished the woman a speedy recovery.
The court called the victim a brave woman
The victim also told the court that her two minor children are with her husband’s family, while one child is with her parents. He alleged that they were left out of the house at night, due to which there is concern about the safety of the children. The Chief Justice described the victim as a brave woman and said that she should first focus on her recovery. Earlier, the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association had issued a press release strongly condemning this attack.
