Surat: An elderly man allegedly threw acid on his wife inside the Family Court in Surat on Friday during the hearing of a maintenance case. The injured woman was immediately shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment. The incident took place on the fifth floor of the Surat Jilla Seva Sadan.

According to preliminary information, the couple, believed to be around 65 to 70 years old, had come to the court in connection with a maintenance-related case. During the proceedings, the man allegedly threw acid on his wife, who was seated in the front row. Some lawyers sitting nearby were also splashed with the liquid.

After the incident, the man allegedly consumed a poisonous substance. Court staff informed the police, who reached the spot and seized the acid bottle and other items from the courtroom. Further investigation has been initiated in the matter.

Both the accused and the victim are currently undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital.

Advocate Mukeshbhai Bandhaniya, representing the complainant side, said the incident occurred while the maintenance case was in progress in the Family Court. He stated that the accused husband suddenly attacked his wife with acid during the hearing. The accused has been identified as Vinodbhai, while the victim’s name is Sharadaben.

According to the advocate, the marital dispute between the couple has been pending in the Family Court since around 2007. He further claimed that the accused had earlier been booked in an attempt-to-murder case involving his wife. It is suspected that the attack was carried out to avoid paying maintenance. DeshGujarat