Chennai: The VI Additional Sessions Court upheld the order of a trial court sentencing the manager of private company to undergo three years RI on charges of physically abusing his wife since their wedding. The woman suffered cruelty at the hands of her husband for nearly a decade.
According to prosecution, D. Gowri Shankar, 39, works as a manager in a medical company and lives in Perungudi. His wedding with Muthulakshmi was solemnized at Vellore on November 1999 and they have a nine-year-old daughter. According to Muthulakshmi, “From day one of our marriage, Gowri Shankar abused me. He suspected my fidelity and after abusing me in filthy language, beat me often.” In order to maintain a peaceful matrimonial life, she did not disclose the incidents to anyone, including her parents. She said, “He used to bring pornographic CDs and forced me to watch them. He also suspected the paternity of my child and wanted to conduct a DNA test on the baby.” While beating her, he would keep the television at high volume so that neighbours would not hear the beating and her cries. He also dealt with their daughter in the same vindictive manner. Gowri Shankar threatened to kill her on November 27, 2008 - her birthday. He told her to leave the house. He assaulted her with a wooden log. Her parents reached the house at 9 pm and took her home.
A complaint was registered before the all women’s police station, Vellore and after registering an FIR, the case was transferred to the all women’s police station, Guindy. Police investigated and registered a case against him under section 498 (A), 406, 323, 506 (ii) of IPC and section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Women Prohibition of Women Harassment Act.
On April 28, 2014, the IX Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet convicted and sentenced him to undergo RI for three years and imposed a fine of '2000 on him. Gowri Shankar challenged the verdict but dismissing the appeal, the judge, VI Additional Sessions Court, K Dhanasekaran directed the trial court to secure him immediately.
