Acid attack inside Surat family court: what happened
A disturbing incident unfolded on Friday during a family court hearing in Surat when a 75-year-old Ayurvedic practitioner allegedly threw acid on his estranged wife inside the court complex. The attack occurred on the fifth floor of the A-block of the Surat District Seva Sadan while proceedings were underway, reportedly in the presence of the presiding judge. The act sparked immediate panic within the courtroom and renewed urgent questions about security arrangements at the family court complex.
Courtroom witnesses say the accused was seated directly behind his wife when the assault took place. He allegedly produced a bottle containing an acidic substance and splashed it on her after she declined to accept certain settlement conditions. According to the woman’s lawyer, the husband had been pressuring her to withdraw an earlier attempted murder case; when she insisted on pursuing the legal process, the attack followed. Medichelpline has reported the sequence of events based on statements from those present and legal representatives.
Background of the couple’s long-running legal battle
The couple separated in 2017 and have since been engaged in multiple, long-standing legal disputes related to maintenance and recovery. The woman lodged several petitions in the family court in 2021, 2023 and 2025, and pursued related matters before the district court in 2021 and 2024. Separate from the maintenance litigation, an alleged knife attack by the husband outside the district court in 2023 led to an attempted murder case; at the time of Friday’s hearing the accused had been released on bail in that matter.
This history of repeated litigation and alleged violence is central to understanding the context of Friday’s incident. The ongoing legal proceedings and the prior attempted murder case meant both parties were already engaged in a volatile, high-stakes dispute when the latest assault occurred.
Injuries, immediate medical response and containment
The woman sustained acid burns to her mouth and other parts of her body, and medichelpline reports damage to the lens of her left eye. Several lawyers who were seated nearby were also affected by acid splashes; they received immediate medical attention at the scene and subsequently were taken for further care. Court security personnel detained the accused swiftly, preventing him from fleeing the complex.
In a dramatic and alarming turn that followed the assault, the accused is reported to have ingested poison in an apparent attempt at self-harm. He, too, was transported to hospital for medical treatment. Both the alleged victim and the accused were under medical care following the incident, and authorities have confirmed that emergency response teams provided prompt attention.
Law enforcement response and the start of a formal probe
Personnel from the local Umra police station reached the court complex soon after the attack and initiated a detailed investigation. Medichelpline has reported that investigators are collecting statements from witnesses present in the courtroom, reviewing the sequence of events, and documenting forensic and medical evidence that will be critical for determining charges and next steps in the criminal process.
Given the prior attempted murder case and the new allegations of an acid attack occurring inside a court, investigators are treating the incident with heightened seriousness. The formal probe by local police is expected to establish the precise timeline, identify all affected individuals, and determine applicable criminal charges based on the evidence gathered.
Security concerns and implications for court safety
An assault that takes place inside a courtroom, in the presence of a judge and multiple legal professionals, raises profound concerns about physical security at judicial facilities—particularly at sensitive family court complexes where emotions and personal disputes often run high. The immediate detention of the accused by court security prevented a potential escalation, but the attack nonetheless exposed vulnerabilities in screening, monitoring and protective measures at the court premises.
Legal professionals and court administrators typically rely on coordinated security protocols—entry screening, restrictions on items allowed inside courtrooms, and rapid-response procedures—to mitigate risks. The incident in Surat is likely to prompt a review of these measures by court authorities and local administration to prevent recurrence. Medichelpline has reported that the event has already triggered questions regarding the adequacy of current security arrangements.
What comes next: investigation, medical care and legal proceedings
Authorities have launched a full investigation, and medical assessments of the injured parties will inform both criminal case work and potential civil remedies. The existing attempted murder case from 2023 remains part of the wider legal context, and the fresh allegations arising from Friday’s assault will be considered alongside that earlier matter as police compile evidence and determine charges.
As the probe advances, court officials and law enforcement will need to balance the rights of the accused and the victim with public safety imperatives. Medichelpline will continue to monitor developments and report confirmed updates from investigators and court records as they become available. In the immediate term, the priority for authorities and medical teams remains treating those injured and securing the court environment to safeguard all participants in ongoing legal proceedings.