A 75-year-old Ayurvedic doctor allegedly threw an acid-like substance at his estranged wife during a court hearing in Surat, Gujarat, on Friday. The incident took place inside a family court where the couple had appeared for a hearing related to a maintenance dispute.
Police officials stated that the accused suddenly attacked the 61-year-old woman with a corrosive liquid during the proceedings. The woman sustained burn injuries and court staff immediately intervened after the incident.
She was quickly taken to a hospital for medical treatment. Doctors began assessing the severity of the burn injuries caused by the chemical exposure.
According to police, the accused consumed poison shortly after carrying out the attack inside the court premises. Authorities transported him to a government hospital where he received emergency medical care.
Both individuals were admitted to separate hospitals for treatment. Officials confirmed that the accused remained under medical observation while police began an investigation into the incident.
Law enforcement authorities also started recording statements from witnesses present in the courtroom at the time of the attack.
Investigators reported that the couple had been living separately for several years. The estranged wife had filed legal complaints earlier, including cases related to domestic violence.
Police sources indicated that the couple had been involved in legal disputes since 2007. The court hearing on Friday was connected to a maintenance case filed by the woman.
Authorities also noted that in 2023 the accused had been booked in another criminal case after allegedly attacking the same woman with a knife. That case is still pending before the court.
Following the incident, police registered a case and launched an investigation. Officials are examining how the accused managed to bring the corrosive substance into the courtroom.
Authorities are also reviewing the sequence of events that led to the attack during the court hearing.
Further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation and medical reports related to the injuries sustained by the victim.
(Rh/SS)
