A woman, who attempted suicide last month in a bid to escape the harassment of her drunkard husband but survived, was today granted bail by the Madras High Court.
The woman Amrutha had forcibly pushed her two teenaged daughters into the well on July 7 and then jumped in. However the children died and she survived.
"Very very pathetic. Very very sad. It is heart-rending. Our heart bleeds. She reminds us of our ancient Nallathangal," (Nallathangal threw her nine children into a well due to poverty)", Justice P Devadass said while granting her bail.
Amutha, who got married 22 years ago, had got into a heated argument with her husband on July 8 over his continued torture and irresponsible behavior when the family was in a financial crisis. The woman then decided to take the extreme step.
The next day, she forcibly pushed her two teenaged daughters into a nearby well and then jumped in. However, she survived but lost her two daughters.
Police registered a case against her under various sections of IPC, including murder, following which she moved the court for bail.
The Judge, while granting her bail, directed her to surrender before the Judicial Magistrate, Chengam, within 15 days from date of receipt of the order and also to execute a bail bond for Rs 5,000. Her two married daughters were directed to each execute Rs 5,000 bail bond to the satisfaction of the magistrate and to report before police every Monday and Friday at 10.30 AM for two weeks and thereafter as and when required.
The Judge observed that Amutha survived to undergo further agony. Her misery did not end. It is because of continued torture of her husband actuated by his drinking habit, continued beating and spending the entire money on liquor. Further, the family is already heavily indebted."
He also observed that the petitioner's husband 'is an useless husband. Petitioner caused the deaths under tragic circumstances. She will not flee away from justice. Her arrest is not necessary and it will not serve any justifiable purpose. It will add fuel to her sufferings. Hence I am inclined to grant her anticipatory bail.
