Rewa woman accuses policeman husband of assault, forcing two abortions:Wife alleges, ‘Floors were stained with blood, he cleaned them also deleted CCTV footage’

Savitri Barman, wife of policeman Rajeev Verma posted at the DIG office in Rewa, has accused her husband of years of domestic violence, culminating in a brutal attack on Diwali. According to her complaint, Verma has repeatedly physically assaulted her, forced two abortions, and subjected her to confinement and intimidation. Savitri said her husband beats her daily like a deranged person, often targeting her stomach during the assaults. The latest incident occurred on October 19 and 20, when Savitri alleged that her husband locked her in a room at their residence in Vindhyachal Colony Police Line, Bichhia police station area, and beat her severely. She said her only fault was requesting some items for visiting her parental home and for Diwali worship. Verma allegedly struck her with sticks and a belt, pulled her hair, and kicked her legs and stomach. At one point, he hit her head with a stick, causing a head injury and heavy bleeding. Savitri regained consciousness later but remained trapped and fearful. Denied medical treatment and CCTV footage deleted Savitri stated that despite serious injuries, her husband did not allow her to visit a hospital. He reportedly cleaned the blood-stained floor and removed the CCTV memory card that had recorded the assault. Savitri said she was left in a semi-conscious state, unable to call for help, and feared for her life. The victim explained that Rajeev had installed CCTV cameras from the house hall to the room to monitor her movements. After the attack, he removed the memory card and deleted all footage of the assault. Savitri described this as a deliberate attempt to erase evidence of the brutality. Forced abortions and deception Savitri revealed that Rajeev Verma forced the termination of her pregnancies twice. The most recent incident occurred in October, when she was around 2.5 months pregnant. She claimed that Verma provided false medication and got her pregnancy terminated. Earlier, a similar incident happened a few months after their marriage. Savitri said that her husband would deliberately target her stomach while assaulting her, further endangering her health. She also said that Verma had deceived her before marriage, hiding the fact that he had been married previously and later divorced. Savitri alleged that even after separation, Verma continued to communicate with his first wife and threatened her that if she lost her job or faced suspension, he would take back his first wife and leave Savitri completely ruined. Background and legal proceedings Savitri Barman hails from Barach village in Panna district. She said her father is a farmer with modest means and she has two brothers, one of whom is a truck driver, and the other has mental challenges. She married Rajeev Verma in 2016. Initially, everything was normal, but soon after, her husband began torturing her over dowry demands. Savitri sought legal help, and the matter reached the Family Court in Panna. The case continued for seven years, eventually ruling in her favor. The court ordered Rajeev to provide monthly expenses of ₹7,000. Following the court’s directive, Rajeev apologised and assured he would take care of her. After this compromise, she moved to Rewa with him. Assaulted on Diwali According to Savitri, the immediate trigger for the Diwali assault was her request to accompany her mother-in-law to Satna or to arrange worship and ration materials at home. She said her husband became furious, claiming that performing prayers at home or making such requests was beyond her jurisdiction. Verma allegedly first slapped her, then beat her with sticks across her back, waist, and legs, and finally struck her head, causing severe injuries. Savitri described being left in a near-dying state, unable to move or call for help. She said she was forced to witness her own blood on the floor while her husband scrubbed and cleaned it. The victim stressed that the assault was brutal and deliberate. Escaping and filing a complaint After the attack, Savitri gathered the courage to reach the Superintendent of Police on October 22 and narrate the entire incident. Following her complaint, a case was registered against Rajeev Verma under sections related to dowry harassment and assault. Fearing further attacks, Savitri left Rewa overnight and returned to her parental home in Panna. She expressed that she was treated as an object of physical need by her husband and that her repeated attempts to seek medical care or escape abuse were blocked. She highlighted that Verma would restrict her access to her mobile phone for days to prevent her from contacting anyone. Allegations of psychotic behavior Savitri described her husband as psychotic and stated that his abuse extended over several years. She said he would beat her without reason, often restricting food and water, and keep her confined for days. She warned that the police department had yet to take effective action against him, fearing that justice would only be sought if a more serious incident occurred. Accused’s response Meanwhile, Rajeev Verma claimed that Savitri had an affair before their marriage, which the family had hidden from him, and that she had misbehaved with his mother. He denied allegations of domestic violence and claimed discord arose due to her behavior. Police action Additional SP Arti Singh stated that a case has been registered based on the victim’s complaint and assured that departmental action would be taken. She emphasized that the police department would not leave any stone unturned in investigating the matter. Victim’s appeal Savitri continues to seek justice and highlighted that neither suspension nor departmental separation orders have been issued against her husband so far. She expressed concern that the police department seemed inactive in protecting her rights as a woman, fearing that serious consequences could follow if action was delayed. The victim’s injuries include swelling under the eye and a head wound, reflecting the severity of the assault. Savitri’s statement underscores the challenges faced by women who face domestic violence, even when the alleged perpetrator is a police officer.