Minor testifies against father, grandmother

A six-year-old boy has accused his father and grandmother of forcing his mother to commit suicide.

A six-year-old boy has accused his father and grandmother of forcing his mother to commit suicide.

HT Image

Recording his testimony before Additional Sessions Judge Aditi Choudhary, the boy said: “I entered my parent’s bedroom where I found my mother was hanging from the ceiling fan.”

He broke down in court as he testified, prompting the judge to call the child to sit on her laps, and narrate the entire sequence of events leading to his mother’s death.

“My mother was beaten and tortured by father, grandmother and uncle Sunny. My mother committed suicide as she was beaten and harassed by them,” the boy said during the hour-long testimony.

His mother Parul’s counsel Ajay Dig Paul submitted in court that the boy was the prime witness to her alleged torture at the hands of her husband and in-laws. “Her in-laws abused her for everything from dowry to love affairs, and forced to her to end her life,” said Paul.

Parul got married to Madhur Malhotra, a businessman based in Kirti Nagar, West Delhi, on January 23, 1998. She hung herself on July 22, 2009.

Parul’s father Naresh Kumar also recorded his statement in court, alleging Madhur had an affair with his secretary, and whenever their daughter objected she was allegedly beaten up.

A case was registered at Kirti Nagar police station against Madhur and his family members for abetment of suicide.

The judge will hear the matter again on March 10.