Elderly man throws acid-like liquid at estranged wife, consumes poison at Surat family court

Surat: A 75-year-old man allegedly threw an acid-like liquid at his estranged wife, leaving her with burn injuries, and swallowed poison on the family court premises in Surat on Friday, police said.

The couple was at the court in connection with a case concerning the recovery of maintenance, said inspector JA Rathwa from Umra police station. The accused has a long history of litigation with his 61-year-old estranged wife, the official said.

“The incident took place in family court room number six. The couple has been living separately since 2017,” Rathwa said.

After hurling an acid-like liquid, the man consumed poison. He was rushed to the civil hospital, while the woman was taken to a private hospital for treatment of burn injuries, the official said.

“In the past, the court had heard a domestic violence case against the man. In 2023, he was booked for attempted murder after attacking the woman with a knife. That case is still pending,” he said