In a rare case, a woman who killed her husband after he attacked her in an inebriated state and also attempted to rape their daughter, walked free after she was released by the police on the grounds of private defence here on Saturday.
Usha Rani had problems with her husband Jothibasu since 1995. There were complaints against Jothibasu in many police stations stating that he harassed the family members. The couple had been living separately for several months with the children remaining under the care of Usha Rani.
Assurance to police
A fortnight ago, Jothibasu returned home and assured police personnel in the Oomachikulam station that he would not harass his wife or children.
On Thursday, he came home, assaulted his wife and attempted to misbehave with their daughter.
Desperate to protect her daughter, the woman hit Jothibasu with a cricket bat. He collapsed and was declared dead in Government Rajaji Hospital. The Oomachikulam police registered a case of murder. Since the woman confessed to having committed the crime, she was detained for interrogation.
In her statement, she told the investigating officer that she acted only to save her daughter from being a victim of physical abuse.
When contacted, Superintendent of Police Asra Garg told The Hindu: “Based on the preliminary investigations, we have come to know that the accused had committed the crime on grounds of private defence, hence, she was released.”
The SP explained that under IPC Section 100, “the right of private defence of the body extends to the voluntary causing of death or any other harm to the assailant if the offence that occasions the exercise of the right is an assault with the intention of committing rape.”
