A 38-year-old woman was allegedly bludgeoned to death by her husband at their residence in Outer Delhi’s Mangolpuri in front of their three children, the police said on Monday.
The victim has been identified as Savita, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Rajender Singh Sagar.
The accused, Vinod, an e-rickshaw driver, fled the spot soon after allegedly killing his wife and is at large, he added.
The couple had been married for 18 years, the police said.
The family members told the police that Vinod used to abuse and beat his wife daily over petty issues. “He was an alcoholic and used to thrash his wife almost everyday,” Mr. Sagar said.
The couple’s 13-year-old son said that around 9 a.m., he and his sisters, aged 15 and 10, were sleeping in the room when his father came home and picked a fight with their mother and started beating her.
“While beating her, he suddenly picked up a hammer lying nearby and hit her with it on the head a few times,” he said.
The woman has at least four visible injuries on her head. It is suspected that she was hit four to five times, the officer said.
When their son tried to save her, the accused allegedly pushed him away. The son then ran to call the neighbours.
Vinod used to suspect his wife’s loyalty and so subjected her to torture, a neighbour said.
“She had complained to the police several times. They used often pick Vinod and make him understand. As she never submitted a formal complaint, Vinod was always let off,” the neighbour added.
By the time the neighbours came to the woman’s rescue, Vinod had fled the spot. Ms. Savita was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital where she was declared brought dead.
The hospital authorities informed the police around 10.30 a.m.
Case registered
A case has been registered under Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code. We are on the lookout for Vinod, Mr. Sagar added.
