Elderly Man Gets 3-Year Jail Term for Assaulting Wife with Sickle in Mumbai

Mumbai:In a chilling case of domestic violence, a 71-year-old man from Mumbai has been sentenced to three years in prison for attacking his wife with a sickle. The sentence was handed down by a sessions court on March 29, bringing closure to a case that dates back to October 2019.

The accused, identified as Barhate, had reportedly returned home one evening and began physically assaulting his daughter. When his wife attempted to intervene to protect their daughter, he turned on her and struck her on the left shoulder with a sickle, causing serious injuries. The incident was reported to the Mankhurd police, who registered an FIR against him.

While delivering the verdict, Sessions Judge Shayana V. Patil stated, “The prosecution has proved that the accused has voluntarily caused simple hurt to the complainant by means of a sickle, which is punishable under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code.”

During the trial, the victim also alleged that she had endured ongoing physical and mental abuse since their marriage. However, the court noted that the prosecution failed to provide concrete evidence to support the claims of cruelty under Section 498A of the IPC. There was a lack of CCTV footage or supporting material beyond the immediate assault incident.

Despite this, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the attack and the use of a dangerous weapon. Medical evidence and witness statements corroborated the wife's claims regarding the assault, which ultimately led to Barhate’s conviction under IPC Section 324 for causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.

The court emphasized that even though the attack may not have been premeditated or intended to kill, the act of striking someone with a sickle remains a serious offense, especially in a domestic setting.

This incident adds to the growing number of domestic violence cases in urban areas, sparking renewed concern about elderly abusers and the need for greater protection of women within the household.