A horrifying case of domestic violence has emerged from Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh, where a man allegedly threw his wife off the terrace after she refused to have sex with him. The woman, identified as Teeja, survived the fall but suffered a serious spinal fracture and is currently undergoing treatment at Jhansi Medical College, doctors confirmed on Wednesday.

The disturbing incident took place in the Kotwali area under Mau Ranipur police station limits earlier this week. According to police reports and local media, the accused, Mukesh, attacked his wife in a fit of rage late at night after she refused his sexual advances.

The Incident

In her statement to police, the victim recounted the events leading up to the attack. “My husband forced me to have sex, and when I refused, he became violent. He hit me and then pushed me off the roof,” she told reporters from her hospital bed, vowing to “live and fight back for what he did.”

The fall from the thirty-foot-high rooftop left her critically injured. Her screams alerted neighbors, who rushed to the spot and found her bleeding and in excruciating pain. Mukesh, meanwhile, had fled the scene before the villagers could intervene. The locals immediately informed the police, and officers from the Mau Ranipur station arrived at the scene soon after.

Station in-charge Vidyasagar Singh confirmed that the woman was first taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC)for emergency care. However, due to the severity of her injuries, she was referred to Jhansi Medical College, where she remains under treatment. Medical officials later said that Teeja’s spinal cord had been fractured in multiple places, though her condition is now stable.

A Troubled Marriage

According to reports from PTI and LiveHindustan, Teeja and Mukesh had a love marriage in 2022. Both were residents of Siyavari village in Jhansi district. Their relationship began several years earlier, but their families had initially opposed their union. When villagers discovered them meeting secretly, the families eventually agreed to the marriage, believing it would end the controversy.

For the first year, everything reportedly went well between the couple. But after that, the situation began to deteriorate. Mukesh allegedly started staying away from home for long periods and became increasingly abusive when he did return. According to the victim’s statement, he would beat her frequently and began forcing her into sexual acts against her will.

The violence escalated over time. Just three days before the incident, Mukesh reportedly returned home after several days of absence and assaulted her again, accusing her of being disobedient. On Tuesday night, he again tried to force himself on her, and when she resisted, he became enraged and dragged her to the terrace before pushing her off.

Community Response and Police Action

The horrific act has shocked the local community in Mau Ranipur. Villagers who witnessed the aftermath said they were appalled by Mukesh’s cruelty. “We heard a loud scream and rushed out. She was lying on the ground, unable to move. We called the police immediately,” one of the locals told reporters.

Police teams have since launched a manhunt to arrest Mukesh, who remains absconding as of Thursday morning. The Kotwali Mau Ranipur police station has registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to attempt to murder (Section 307), domestic violence, and sexual assault.

Inspector Vidyasagar Singh said, “The victim has given a detailed statement. Based on her account and witness testimony, a case has been filed. We are making all efforts to arrest the accused at the earliest.” Police are also recording statements from neighbors and family members to build a complete picture of the events.

Broader Context: Domestic Violence and Marital Rape Debate

This case once again highlights the alarming prevalence of domestic violence and sexual coercion within marriages in India. Women’s rights activists have pointed out that while acts like these fall under broader categories of assault and cruelty, marital rape remains not explicitly criminalized under Indian law, except in certain circumstances such as when the wife is under 18 years of age or separated by a court order.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 30% of married women in India have experienced physical or sexual violence from their spouses. Many such cases go unreported due to societal pressure, fear of stigma, or economic dependence on the abuser.

Legal experts note that even though the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) of 2005 provides civil remedies such as restraining orders and maintenance, criminal prosecution for sexual violence within marriageremains difficult unless it involves extreme physical harm or falls under other penal provisions like “attempt to murder.”

In the Jhansi case, the survivor’s injuries are grave enough to warrant prosecution under Section 307 of the IPC. Police officials said they are treating the matter as an attempted murder due to the intent and the life-threatening nature of the act.

Hospital and Medical Condition

Doctors at Jhansi Medical College said the victim had sustained multiple fractures along her spine and pelvis, consistent with a fall from a significant height. A senior medical officer noted, “Her condition was critical when she arrived. We stabilized her with immediate surgery to prevent further spinal damage. She is conscious and responding to treatment.”

The hospital has also arranged for counseling and psychological support, as doctors believe the victim is showing signs of severe emotional trauma. Her relatives have been permitted to stay with her, and women’s welfare officers have been assigned to monitor her recovery and assist with legal follow-up.

Police and Public Reactions

Local law enforcement officials have condemned the incident as “brutal and inhuman.” Superintendent of Police (SP) Jhansi stated that special teams are conducting raids across the district to trace Mukesh. “We are confident of arresting him soon. Such acts of cruelty will not be tolerated,” he said.

Meanwhile, women’s rights organizations in Uttar Pradesh have demanded that the state government ensure swift justice and provide the survivor with full medical and financial assistance. Activists have also called for stronger laws protecting women against sexual abuse within marriage, arguing that cases like this expose the gaps in the current legal framework.

The Road to Justice

As Teeja continues her recovery, her case has drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger enforcement of domestic violence laws and more awareness of women’s rights in rural areas. Despite the trauma she has endured, the young woman remains determined to seek justice. “I want him punished for what he did,” she said from her hospital bed.

Police say that once her condition stabilizes further, she will be asked to record her statement before a magistrate to strengthen the prosecution’s case. The district administration has also assured her family of support through the Nirbhaya Fund and other state compensation schemes for survivors of violent crime.

The Jhansi case serves as yet another grim reminder that domestic spaces, often assumed to be safe, can be sites of extreme violence and abuse. As authorities continue their investigation, the survivor’s resolve to fight back may inspire broader discussions on accountability, consent, and justice for women across India.