₹1 crore compensation ordered in domestic abuse case; court says husband is “rolling in money”

In a significant ruling, a sessions court in Mumbai has increased the compensation awarded to a woman in a domestic violence case from ₹5 lakh to ₹1 crore, citing her husband’s substantial wealth and long history of abuse. The woman, now 41, endured over two decades of alleged physical, emotional, and economic abuse from her husband and in-laws since her marriage in December 1997. She had earlier challenged a magistrate’s February 2020 order granting her ₹5 lakh under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

The court observed that the husband, who owns and runs an elevator company, and his family had the financial means to purchase property worth over ₹1 crore in 2012. Despite his claim of financial hardship, the judge noted his inability to prove current losses and instead referred to him as “rolling in money”. The court also increased the monthly maintenance for the woman and her daughter from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh.

Judge S J Ansari of the Dindoshi Court said the earlier compensation was “meagre” considering the “torture, humiliation, and economic abuse” the woman faced during 20 years of marriage. The court further noted the emotional damage caused by the husband influencing their twin sons to distance themselves from their mother.

The ruling emphasised that financial compensation must reflect not just sustenance but also justice for the years of suffering. The court concluded that the woman had no choice but to seek legal relief after years of abuse, neglect, and trauma, and thus deserved a more appropriate and substantial compensation.