Magistrate

domestic violence case

vice-president

IT

Sushil Mankar

Supreme Court

Hinduism

rules in favour of Nilufer, who has accused her husband of beating her up in front of their infant and sought compensation.Decks were cleared last week for the start of aagainst Thomas Cookwith a magistrate refusing to accept the primary objection raised by him that the complaint was filed at a much later date than when the incident took place.Mankar’s wife Nilufer has accused her husband of badly beating her up while their infant was present in the room in 2014.However, she filed a domestic violence case more than a year later in 2015. But the case didn’t progress because of the primary objection raised by Mankar.With the magistrate now setting aside the objection, Nilufer can seek maintenance apart from any other relief.During the ruling, the magistrate said: “The application could not be entertained; however the respondent is at liberty to take appropriate steps.”Nilufer, represented by Wesley Menezes, has demanded interim compensation of Rs 95,000 per month for household expenses and Rs 92,000 per month for the child and Rs 1 crore as one-time settlement.She also claimed that Mankar did not take care of her when she was pregnant and would regularly come home drunk. He also tortured her, she said.As for the 2014 assault incident, Nilufer, represented by advocate Wesley Menezes, said that she was nursing their daughter when Mankar wanted to play with the infant out.An argument started when she refused to give the girl to Mankar and one thing led to another. Subsequently, the VP allegedly beat her up badly, resulting in injuries.However, Mankar had always maintained that his wife was responsible for the fight and was hurt when he tried to protect himself.He said that when he wanted to play with his daughter, Nilufer refused to hand her over, kicked him and spat on him. In retaliation, he slapped her.Moreover, he described her actions like “keeping a cart before a horse”.Nilufer’s lawyer, on his part, submitted ajudgment in their favour and denied all the allegations levelled by Mankar.“The Complainant did everything possible to make her marriage work and in the manner Respondent No.1 and his family wanted. However, Respondent No.1 was not caring towards the Complainant and never appreciated the efforts made by the Complainant to keep him and his family happy.”Nilufer further claimed that she had changed her faith and converted tofor Mankar, left her job and became a homemaker.The case is now likely to begin on the next date.