Supreme Court of India Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Assault on Woman Advocate, Orders Senior-Level Probe

April 27, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a brutal assault on a woman advocate in Delhi, allegedly by her husband, and directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to transfer the investigation to a senior अधिकारी, preferably a महिला अधिकारी of ACP or DCP rank.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also instructed the investigating officer to examine allegations that three hospitals refused to admit the injured victim.

Appearing for the police, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Court that an FIR has been registered and the accused husband has been arrested during the intervening night of April 25–26.

The Court noted that it initiated proceedings after receiving a letter seeking urgent judicial intervention. It further recorded allegations that the victim’s in-laws had taken away her two minor children, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The Bench directed the police to trace the children at the earliest.

The Court has also sought a status report on the investigation.

According to police, the accused, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from Khajuri Khas. He allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22. During interrogation, Kumar is said to have confessed, attributing the attack to a family dispute. Police indicated that while domestic discord appears to be the primary motive, all angles are being examined. (PTI)