Supreme Court Registers Suo Motu Case Over Lady Advocate's Brutal Assault By Husband

A CJI Surya Kant led bench of the Supreme Court today took up a suo motu case registered by it concerning the brutal assault of a Karkardooma-based Advocate Madhu by her husband & in-laws.

The Lady Advocate was brutally stabbed in the office of her husband. She had later made a PCR call seeking help. Court was further told today that hospitals refused to attend to her injuries.

"Why did hospitals deny emergency treatment..?" CJI Kant asked ASG Aishwarya Bhati who was present before Court along with the Investigating Officer.

"The accused has been arrested. The lady Advocate was first treated at AIIMS, now she has been transferred to a private hospital..the IO is also present," ASG Bhati informed the bench.

"On advance notice, Ms. Bhati is present on behalf of NCT Government of Delhi, with IO. We are informed that FIR has been registered and husband of the victim, who is alleged to be the prime accused, has been arrested in the intervening night of 25-26 April. In the complaint, there are allegations against in-laws also, who are stated to be absconding. It may be noticed that the victim has 3 daughters from wedlock, aged 12, 4 and 1 years. AOR, assisting as Amicus, informs that after the brutal attack, in-laws took away 2 minor girl children with them and their whereabouts are unknown. The eldest girl child was abandoned at night outside the house by accused-husband and she was recovered by police. She is now under custody of maternal grandparents," the bench noted.

It accordingly went on to direct:

1. The Commissioner of Police, Delhi will handover investigation to fairly senior officer and preferably woman officer in the rank of Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner of Police.
2. Police authorities to find out whereabouts of the 2 minor girl children
3. Custody of the eldest daughter shall continue with maternal grandparents.

"We are perturbed by the allegation that the victim was initially taken to three hospitals, but was refused admission by them...first hospital only provided first aid...she was finally admitted to AIIMS around 6 AM. We direct the IO to look into this aspect and submit status report. Considering that the victim is in dire need of financial assistance, especially to undergo treatment and look after her daughters, we direct NALSA to release interim sum in favor of victim by tomorrow," it has further been ordered.

Notably, Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) had condemned the “barbaric” attempt to murder and demanded immediate arrest of accused, saying delay is “failure of Delhi Police”.

“This was not a mere domestic dispute; it was a savage, premeditated attempt to silence and eliminate a dedicated officer of the court within the supposed safety of the National Capital,” the letter by SCWLA read.

“Silence is not an option… this is a dark stain on our conscience,” the association further said seeking action.

Case Title: In Re: Brutal Assault on a Member of the Legal Fraternity and need For Judicial Intervention

Bench: CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi

Hearing Date: April 27, 2026