In a powerful act of defiance against a lifetime of suffering, a 67-year-old retired government professor in Bengaluru has shattered a 42-year silence to expose a grim reality: sexual harassment and domestic violence do not retire with age. This case throws a stark light on the often-hidden epidemic of abuse faced by elderly women in India.
A Lifetime of Abuse Alleged
The survivor, identified as Veena (name changed), a former college principal with a distinguished academic career, has accused her 70-year-old husband, Ramesh (name changed), of sustained mental, physical, financial, and sexual abuse throughout their marriage. She lodged a formal complaint with the Govindarajnagar police on Saturday.
Married in 1983 at a convention hall on Cunningham Road, Veena built a successful career, retiring as a principal after serving in multiple colleges across Karnataka. In her complaint, she alleges that her husband resented her professional achievements, belittled her PhD and promotions, and systematically coerced her into transferring her salary, pension, gratuity, and properties into his name. She claims that after Ramesh lost his job in Kudremukh in 1993, he lived largely on her earnings, maintaining tight financial control while continuing the abuse.
The Final Straw and a Serious Allegation
The immediate trigger for the police complaint was a legal notice from Ramesh, directing Veena and their two sons to vacate the matrimonial home within eight days, citing that the property was solely in his name.
The most serious allegation pertains to an incident on November 22 this year. Veena alleges she was forcibly dragged into a room and sexually assaulted while cleaning the house. Upon resisting, she claims she was kicked, choked, verbally abused, and threatened with death, with threats also made against their sons. She states that this assault was captured on CCTV cameras installed by her children, who feared for her safety.
A heart patient who has undergone bypass surgery, Veena sought medical treatment for chest pain and breathlessness following the incident and obtained a medico-legal certificate. Despite the evidence, she hesitated to complain, a reflection of how elderly women are often socialized to preserve marriage at any cost.
Legal Action and a Wider Problem
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cruelty by husband, assault to outrage modesty, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt. Given the accused's age, he has been served a notice to appear for questioning.
Legal experts emphasize that this is not an isolated incident. While national surveys show nearly one in three ever-married Indian women report spousal violence, complaints by senior citizens—especially women against spouses—remain severely under-reported. Divorce petitions among older couples are rising slowly, often driven by long-standing abuse that surfaces after children become independent or financial control tightens.
If you or someone you know is facing harassment:
- Call police/Emergency services: 112
- Women's Helpline (24/7): 181 and 1091
- Bengaluru's Vanitha Sahaya Vani: 080-22943225
- File a complaint at your local police station
- Reach out to NGOs or approach the National/State Women's Commission
- Keep medical records, photos, messages, and CCTV evidence documented
- Consult a lawyer for legal options including restraint orders, divorce, or maintenance
