A 50-year-old lady who had been missing for 18 years was recently found and brought before the Madhya Pradesh High Court in an unexpected turn of events. The woman disclosed that she left her husband, Nandkishore Rahangdale, severely abusing her at home in Kharpadia village, Balaghat district, in 2006.
Rahangdale started the lawsuit by asking the court to order the police to find his wife and their two boys, who had disappeared on April 18, 2006. He submitted the petition last month. His complaint claimed he was unaware of their whereabouts after they went missing. A month later, Rahangdale reported the disappearance to the police, but no leads emerged.
Responding to the petition, the high court ordered Balaghat police to investigate the matter. Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh assembled a special investigation team that contacted approximately 70 individuals, including the woman’s relatives. This effort ultimately led to her discovery, and she was presented in court on August 7.
During her testimony, the woman recounted the trauma that forced her to flee. She disclosed that her husband had subjected her and their children to physical violence, stating, “He used to beat me and my sons mercilessly.” Tragically, she also shared that her younger son, Mukund, died shortly after they escaped from the abusive environment.
Justice Vishal Dhagat, who presided over the case, acknowledged the woman’s allegations and dismissed her husband’s petition. In his ruling, he stated that Rahangdale was fully aware of the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and the violence that prompted her departure. The court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Rahangdale for abusing the legal process by filing a petition despite knowing the facts.
The court underlined how critical it is to identify domestic abuse and how brave victims must be to leave such circumstances. The ruling issued by Justice Dhagat made clear that the petitioner’s activities were superfluous, as the police were required to search without a valid justification.
This case emphasizes the pervasive nature of domestic abuse and the obstacles faced by survivors in their quest for help. The case of the female serves as a constant reminder of the importance of enhancing comprehension and support for those individuals who are subjected to domestic violence.
