Husband claims love for both partners, refuses to leave either:Wife blames him for her blindness and assault; second wife says, ‘Served her like my sister’

A disturbing case of domestic violence against a disabled woman and alleged bigamy has come to light in Surajpur village of Chhatarpur district. Hemlata Sahu, visually impaired, has filed a complaint at the SP’s office against her husband, Rakesh Sahu, and his in-laws. According to the complaint, Hemlata married Rakesh in 2021. Soon after, her in-laws demanded Rs 2 lakh, and when the demand was not met, she was beaten. During an illness, she was allegedly given medicine that caused complete loss of eyesight. After becoming disabled, she claims she was treated as a burden and thrown out of the house. Hemlata also alleged that her husband married another woman, Rajkumari, for Rs 1 lakh without divorcing her. In August, she was reportedly lured under the pretext of a compromise and beaten again, sustaining serious injuries. Rakesh Sahu, however, claims that his first wife was already visually impaired and that his relationship with Rajkumari is a consensual live-in arrangement. Rajkumari also states that the marriage occurred with everyone’s consent. Here’s what the people involved stated ‘I love both, don’t want to leave anyone. Circumstances forced me to make this decision, but there is no hatred in my heart for anyone.’ – Rakesh Sahu, Husband ‘I lost my eyesight due to illness, then I realized that my own people started considering me a burden. Now I can neither see nor do any work myself.’ – Hemlata, First Wife ‘Rakesh married me and brought me to serve his first wife. I considered her like an elder sister, now I am being told to leave the house, so where should I go?’– Rajkumar, Second Wife CSP Arun Soni said, The matter would be investigated and legal action would be taken. Regarding the matter, the Bhaskar team spoke to the husband, wife, villagers, and the police. Read the full report… Woman files domestic violence complaint Disputed notary angle Victim Hemlata Sahu alleges that her husband and Rajkumari took advantage of her blindness to get a notary done, claiming she consented to her husband’s second marriage. Rajkumari states that all three parties had agreed, and a written document was prepared. Hemlata says she was tricked into placing her thumbprint and was unaware of the legal process. Police say the legality of the notary and true consent will be determined after investigation. Notaries of all three of them Husband Rakesh’s account Rakesh Sahu stated that his first wife, Hemlata, was already visually impaired, a fact concealed from him when their marriage was arranged. Due to this, he brought Rajkumari from Sidhi district and kept her in a live-in relationship. He claims he has not thrown Hemlata out, and she can still live with him if she wishes. Rakesh denies allegations of assault, calling them false, and says he wants to keep both women together. Second wife said – served like an elder sister Rajkumari denies allegations CSP said – Action will be taken according to the rules Regarding the case, CSP Chhatarpur Arun Soni stated, A complaint has been received from the Bamitha police station area. In the complaint, wife Hemlata has alleged that after she became disabled, her husband remarried and she was thrown out of the house. The police are verifying the complaint, after which legal action will be taken as per rules. The CSP clarified that written or notarised agreements in such cases are not legally valid. The investigation will determine the actual circumstances under which the agreement was made. He added that if it is found that the second marriage violated any legal provision, a case will be registered against the responsible person under the relevant sections.