Elderly Professor Accuses Husband of Decades-Long Abuse

BENGALURU: In an age when silence is still mistaken for consent and endurance for virtue, a 67-year-old retired govt professor has broken a 42-year silence to confront an uncomfortable truth: sexual harassment and domestic violence do not retire with age.Veena (name changed), a former college principal who devoted her life to shaping young minds, has accused her 70-year-old husband, Ramesh (name changed), of sustained mental, physical, financial and sexual abuse throughout their marriage. She lodged a complaint with Govindarajnagar police Saturday.The immediate trigger for the complaint was Ramesh's recent legal notice directing Veena and their two sons to vacate the matrimonial home within eight days, citing that the property is registered solely in his name.IPL Auction 2026IPL Auction 2026: Full list of sold and unsold players for all teamsIPL 2026 team and squad List: Updated players for all 10 Teams; who got whomMarried in 1983 at a convention hall on Cunningham Road, Veena went on to build a distinguished academic career, retiring as a principal after serving in multiple colleges across Karnataka. In her complaint, she alleged that her husband resented her professional success, belittled her PhD and promotions, and systematically coerced her into transferring her salary, pension, gratuity and even properties into his name.After being removed from his job in Kudremukh in 1993, she claimed, Ramesh lived largely on her earnings, exercising financial control while continuing the abuse.The most serious allegation related to an incident on Nov 22 this year, Veena alleged she was forcibly dragged into a room and sexually assaulted while cleaning the house. When she spurned the advances, she alleged she was kicked, choked, verbally abused and threatened with death, along with threats to kill their two sons.The assault, she claimed, was captured on CCTV cameras installed by her children, who feared for her safety.A heart patient who has undergone bypass surgery, Veena sought medical treatment for chest pain and breathlessness and later obtained a medico-legal certificate. Even then, she hesitated to complain as she, like a majority of the elderly women, had been socialised to preserve marriage at any cost.A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cruelty by husband, assault to outrage modesty, criminal intimidation and causing hurt. Given the accused's age, he has been served a notice to appear for questioning.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here