Better-half will become bitter-half if issues not addressed: Delhi HC acquits man for murder attempt against wife

Marriage is paradoxical and a world of extremities, the Delhi High Court recently observed while acquitting a man who was convicted by a trial court for attempting to murder his wife by forcing Baygon Spray (an insecticide) down her throat [Nafe Singh v State]. 

Justice Vimal Kumar Yadav said that “the best, in no time, becomes worst if not handled carefully”. 

The Court highlighted recent examples wherein spouses resorted to extreme levels of violence against each other, which was incomprehensible some decades ago.

“The better-half becomes the bitter-half if issues are not taken care of and resolved as soon as possible. One of the most beautiful relationships of humans, that is of a husband and wife becomes one of the most terrible when things go wrong in a matrimonial alliance. Time, albeit, is a big healer and tones down a lot of pains in life, however in relationships time taken can also be counterproductive,” the Court stressed. 

It added that relationships can go in a totally different, undesirable, and unexpected direction if not handled carefully.

The Bench made the observations while allowing an appeal filed by one Nafe Singh against a 2004 order of the trial court sentencing him to three years imprisonment for trying to kill his wife. 

The couple got married in the year 2000 but the relations soured within a year. In 2001, during a matrimonial dispute, the husband, Nafe Singh, first tried to force his wife to drink Baygon insecticide from a tumbler, and when that failed, he poured it directly down her throat from the container. 

An FIR was registered and Singh and his mother were charged with offences under Sections 498A (cruelty) for dowry harassment and Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

While the trial court acquitted them of Section 498A, Singh was ordered to undergo three years’ imprisonment for attempt to murder. 

This led to the appeal before the High Court.

On August 24, Justice Yadav overturned the trial court order citing an "inconclusive" forensic trail and inconsistencies in the survivor's testimony. 

The order noted that the woman had made material improvements in cross-examination, including reversing her account of a "beating-induced" abortion, which she eventually conceded had occurred naturally.

The Court further noted that it was Singh who had arranged her hospital admission and paid the initial deposit for the same.

Thus, the Court acquitted Singh.

Advocates Sanjay Suri, Vinny Shangloo and Rishabh Ratan appeared for accused Nafe Singh. 

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Satinder Singh Bawa represented the State. 

[Read Judgment]