Admitting that the physical and verbal abuse of a widow by her brother-in-law is a case of domestic violence, a city court on Tuesday forbade him from entering her house. The order also restrained him from communicating with her.

The victim, a 39-year-old woman, residing in Pashan, is the dean of the undergraduate programme of a city-based business school.

The victim's lawyer, Rajendra Anbhule, said that she had married a state government veterinarian on August 10, 1993.

After a son was born on July 19, 1996, their relationship soured and the husband began harassing her.

The victim began living separately at Wanavdi, while her husband moved to his parents' house at Tingrenagar in Vishrantwadi. In 2001, the victim bought a flat in Pashan without any financial support from her husband.

In March 2003, the complainant's husband died of a heart attack. Her mother-in-law and brother-in-law moved into her flat.

The victim supported her 36-year-old brother-in-law, who was then jobless and pursuing a professional course, by securing an educational loan, Anbhule said.

Meanwhile, her mother-in-law went back to Vishrantwadi but her brother-in-law continued to stay with the victim.

The harassment started all over again, this time by the brother-in-law. He would take offence to people who dropped her home from office and started suspecting her.

Later, he took to drinking and began demanding money to buy liquor. If denied, he would beat her up.

On December 5, 2008, after another beating episode where the man threatened to kill her, the victim lodged a complaint at the Chatuhshrungi police station.

But when the ordeal continued with the man threatening to defame her, the victim asked him to move out.

Judicial magistrate (First Class) Archana Mandavgade on Tuesday gave an order that the victim's brother-in-law should not enter her Pashan flat or attempt any oral, written or electronic communication with the victim.

Gitesh Shelke/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication