Acid Attack Inside Surat Family Court Shocks Lawyers and Litigants

Surat | Gujarat —- A shocking act of violence unfolded inside the Family Court in Surat on Friday when an elderly man allegedly threw acid on his wife during a court hearing, leaving the woman injured and triggering panic among lawyers and litigants present in the courtroom.

The incident occurred on March 13 inside Courtroom No. 6 on the fifth floor of the Surat Jilla Seva Sadan, where the couple had arrived for a hearing in a maintenance (alimony) case. According to witnesses, the husband suddenly attacked his wife, who was seated in the front row, by throwing acid at her.

The corrosive liquid reportedly struck the woman’s face, causing immediate burning injuries. Some of the acid also splashed onto lawyers sitting nearby, leading to chaos and a brief stampede in the courtroom as people rushed to move away from the scene.

Moments after carrying out the attack, the elderly man allegedly consumed a poisonous substance, apparently in an attempt to harm himself. Court staff and lawyers immediately alerted authorities.

Both the husband and the injured woman were quickly shifted to the civil hospital in Surat for treatment. Police reached the scene soon after and recovered the acid bottle and other evidence from the courtroom.

Lawyers Describe Moment of Panic

Advocate Varsha Patel, who was present in the courtroom during the attack, described the terrifying moments.

“Krishnaben and I were sitting in the front row and the woman who was attacked was seated just behind us. Suddenly acid was thrown and it fell on her face. One of her eyes closed immediately. Some splashes also reached us and we felt burning for some time,” she said.

Another lawyer, Krishna Gandhi, said the attack happened so suddenly that people initially could not understand what had occurred.

“At first there was confusion, then we heard screams and sensed a burning smell. Only then did we realise that the husband had thrown acid on his wife. Both of them appeared to be around 65 to 70 years old,” Gandhi said.

Police Launch Investigation

Police officials have registered a case and begun an investigation into how the accused managed to bring acid into the court premises. Authorities are also examining the background of the couple’s dispute, which was reportedly related to maintenance or alimony proceedings.

Officials said further action will be taken after statements from witnesses and medical reports are received.