Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 27: The Supreme Court of India on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the brutal assault on a woman advocate allegedly by her husband in Delhi and directed the Police Commissioner to transfer the investigation to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer of ACP or DCP rank.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked the investigating officer to examine the allegation that three hospitals had refused to admit the injured victim.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the police, informed the court that an FIR has been registered and the victim’s husband, identified as Manoj Kumar, has been arrested during the intervening night of April 25 and 26.

The bench noted that it had taken suo motu action after receiving a letter seeking urgent intervention in the matter. It further observed that the complaint included allegations that the victim’s in-laws had taken away her two minor children, whose whereabouts were not known.

The court directed the police to trace the children and submit a status report on the progress of the investigation.

According to police, the accused, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from the Khajuri Khas area. He allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he attacked his wife following a family dispute. Police said domestic discord is believed to be the primary motive, while all angles are being probed.