Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Brutal Assault On Woman Advocate By Husband

The Supreme Court on Monday initiated a suo motu case over the brutal assault of a woman advocate who was allegedly stabbed multiple times by her husband, while also directing an inquiry into allegations that three hospitals refused to provide her emergency medical treatment.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice J Joymalya Bagchi heard the suo motu case, which was registered on the basis of letter sent by Advocate Sneha Kalita, who highlighted the brutal attack on her colleague, who practises at Karkadooma Courts.

The Court noted that the victim had suffered multiple injuries to vital organs and was undergoing treatment at AIIMS, prompting it to take immediate suo motu action.

During the hearing, counsel assisting the Court informed the Bench that the advocate had been brutally stabbed by her husband and had called the Police Control Room and her brother for help. She was reportedly taken to three hospitals, which allegedly declined to admit her on the ground that her condition was critical, before she was finally admitted to AIIMS around 6 a.m.

Responding to the submission, the Chief Justice observed that the Court had registered the case immediately upon receiving the complaint.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, informed the Court that an FIR had been registered and the accused husband had been arrested during the intervening night of April 25 and 26 and remanded to custody. She further stated that the victim had been treated at AIIMS and had since been shifted to a private hospital, where her condition is now stable.

Taking note of the allegations that hospitals refused to provide emergency treatment, the Bench expressed concern and directed the investigating officer to examine the circumstances surrounding the denial of admission and submit a status report.

The Court also recorded that the victim has three daughters aged 12 years, 4 years, and 1 year. It was alleged that after the attack, the in-laws took away two minor children and their whereabouts were unknown, while the eldest child was abandoned outside the house at night by the accused husband and later recovered by the police. The eldest daughter is currently in the custody of her maternal grandparents.

The Bench directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to transfer the investigation to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Police. It also directed the police authorities to trace the whereabouts of the two missing minor children and ordered that the custody of the eldest daughter shall continue with the maternal grandparents.

Observing that the victim is in urgent need of financial support for medical treatment and the care of her children, the Court directed the National Legal Services Authority to release an interim financial assistance amount to the victim by the following day.

"Praying for her speedy recovery," CJI observed after concluding the hearing.

Case : In Re- Brutal Assault On A Member Of Legal Fraternity & Need For Judicial Intervention, SMW(c) 4/2026.