Ahmedabad man booked for assaulting wife with shovel handle on suspicion of infidelity

A 36-year-old woman from Chharodi was hospitalised with fractures after her husband allegedly beat her with the wooden handle of a shovel on Saturday night, accusing her of infidelity. The Sola High Court police have registered a case of assault and domestic violence and launched a search for the accused, who fled the scene.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant, Sonalben Thakor, a daily-wage worker living with her husband Dineshji Mandalji Thakor and their four children at J D Darbar’s farmhouse in Chharodi, stated that she had been married for around 18 years. She alleged that over the past three months, her husband had repeatedly subjected her to verbal abuse and physical harassment, accusing her of being unfaithful.

On the night of September 27, around 9 pm, Dinesh allegedly returned home and began hurling abuses. When Sonalben tried to defuse the quarrel, he reportedly grabbed the wooden handle of a shovel and struck her repeatedly.

Hearing her screams, the couple’s teenage daughter Komal phoned the police control room. By the time a patrol team arrived, Dinesh had fled. Komal called the 108 emergency service, and Sonalben’s sister Bharti accompanied her to Sola Civil Hospital.

Doctors confirmed that Sonalben had sustained a fracture in her left hand and injuries to her right leg. She is reported to be out of danger.

Sola High Court police has registered an FIR in the matter and a manhunt is on to trace the accused. “Preliminary investigation shows the victim suffered multiple injuries consistent with assault by a blunt object,” said a police officer.

The police have recorded statements of family members and neighbours and are continuing their probe.