Woman arrested after pouring ‘boiling oil on husband’s face before sprinkling wounds with chilli powder’
A chilling episode of domestic violence has shaken India’s capital after a 28-year-old man, identified as Dinesh, was grievously attacked by his wife, Sadhana, while he slept in their modest Delhi apartment. The assault — which occurred in the Madangir area during the early hours of October 2 — has been described by investigators as one of the most disturbing acts of spousal cruelty in recent memory.
According to Delhi Police, Dinesh, a medical representative, awoke around 3:15 a.m. to an unbearable burning sensation. He later alleged that his wife had poured scalding oil onto his face and torso before dusting chilli powder over the open wounds, intensifying his agony. The attack, he said, left him paralyzed in pain and gasping for air.
“She just stood there, watching,” Dinesh told investigators. “When I tried to reach for my phone, she threatened to pour the rest of the oil if I moved.”
The couple, married for eight years and parents to a six-month-old daughter, were known to have a troubled relationship. Police records and neighbours’ accounts depict a marriage plagued by arguments, jealousy, and emotional turmoil that had often drawn the attention of law enforcement.
Neighbours reported being startled awake by Dinesh’s screams but were initially unable to enter the flat because Sadhana refused to open the door. The landlord’s family eventually forced entry to rescue the injured man.
“When we got in, he was lying half-conscious, his skin peeling,” said a neighbour, Manju. “She stood there, calm, as if nothing had happened.”
Dinesh was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors confirmed extensive burns across his face, chest, and shoulders. He was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for specialized care. Medical staff described his condition as critical but stabilizing.
Officers from Ambedkar Nagar Police Station have since launched an investigation and registered a First Information Report (FIR). Detectives are piecing together the events that led up to the horrific assault.
“The couple had a history of frequent altercations,” said a police spokesperson. “We are trying to determine whether this was a spontaneous act or something planned.”
Early reports suggest years of tension over finances and accusations of infidelity. Neighbours described the couple’s relationship as toxic, marked by frequent shouting matches and emotional volatility.
“They fought almost every week,” said another resident, Anjali. “Everyone knew they were unhappy, but no one thought it would turn into something like this.”
Tragically, the couple’s infant daughter was asleep in the same room when the assault occurred. Police confirmed that the baby was unharmed, though Child Welfare Services has been notified.
Both families are reportedly devastated. Dinesh’s relatives have called for the harshest punishment, while Sadhana’s family has suggested she may have acted under psychological duress.
“Let justice reveal the truth,” said one of Sadhana’s relatives. “She might have snapped after years of emotional suffering.”
The case has reignited a national debate over the nature of domestic violence in India — and how gender stereotypes often shape its perception.
While India’s Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) focuses on protecting women, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a slow but steady rise in reports from men claiming abuse at the hands of their partners.
“Violence in relationships should not be seen as a gendered issue,” said sociologist Dr. Priya Rangan. “When homes become battlegrounds, both partners lose their humanity. Male victims are often ridiculed into silence, and that silence is dangerous.”
The case has divided public opinion. Some have condemned Sadhana’s actions as monstrous and deliberate, while others have urged caution, arguing that her mental state and potential history of abuse should be examined before judgment.
According to police, Sadhana was arrested shortly after the attack and remains in custody. She faces charges under Sections 307 (Attempt to Murder) and 326 (Causing Grievous Hurt by Dangerous Means) of the Indian Penal Code — both carrying severe prison sentences if convicted.
“We are treating this as a case of attempted murder,” an investigating officer confirmed. “Gender is irrelevant. The evidence will speak for itself.”
Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital have said Dinesh’s recovery will be long and painful. He is expected to undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries and extensive psychological therapy.
“He’s devastated, both physically and emotionally,” said a hospital official. “He keeps asking why it happened.”
Meanwhile, social workers and child welfare authorities are coordinating to determine who will take temporary custody of the infant while legal proceedings continue.
Experts say the case underscores how unresolved emotional conflict can erupt into catastrophic violence. Counselling, open communication, and timely intervention could prevent many of these tragedies.
“Domestic violence is not about gender — it’s about control, resentment, and breakdowns in empathy,” said clinical psychologist Dr. Anupama Roy. “When communication fails, homes become war zones. And when society laughs at male victims, it perpetuates pain.”
She added that “pain knows no gender, and every victim deserves compassion, not ridicule.”
As Dinesh struggles to rebuild his life and Sadhana awaits trial, their story stands as a grim reminder of how love can curdle into hatred when anger goes unchecked.
Whether this act was deliberate vengeance or an emotional breakdown, it has left deep scars — on a man’s body, a woman’s conscience, and a child’s uncertain future.
In one quiet corner of Delhi, a six-month-old baby now grows up with the echoes of that violent night — when affection turned to fury, and a family was consumed by fire.