Madurai:
In a rare instance, a woman who killed her husband after he attacked her in an inebriated state and also attempted to rape their daughter has been set free by police on grounds of private defense.
"Investigations proved that it was an act of private self-defense and to safeguard her daughter's modesty. So Police released Usha Rani charged of murdering her husband," Superintendent of Police Asra Garg said.
She was freed yesterday by invoking Indian Penal Code section 100 which states, among its provisions, the right of private defense of the body extends to the voluntary causing of death or any other harm to the assailant, if the offense which occasions the exercise of the right is an assault with the intention of committing rape.
Police said Usha Rani had problems with her husband since 1995 and the couple had been living separately for several months. There were complaints against him in many police stations stating that he harassed the family.
A fortnight ago, the man returned and assured police that he would not harass his wife or children.
On Thursday, he tried to persuade his wife to stay with him and as she refused, he tried to misbehave with their daughter following which Usha hit him with a cricket bat, police said.
He collapsed and was declared dead in hospital, police said, adding, a case of murder was registered.
Since the woman confessed to having committed the crime, she was detained for interrogation, police said.
Usha told police that she acted only to save her daughter from being a victim of physical abuse, police added.