In a significant legal development, Bhanvi Kumari Singh, the wife of Uttar Pradesh politician Raghuraj Pratap Singh, commonly known as Raja Bhaiya, has filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging severe domestic abuse and threats to her life. The 18-page FIR, lodged at Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave police station, details accusations of physical and mental cruelty spanning nearly three decades of their marriage, which began in 1995.
According to the FIR, Bhanvi Singh alleges that Raja Bhaiya subjected her to continuous physical and mental harassment, leading to significant health issues. She claims that recent medical reports indicate organ damage resulting from sustained abuse, which has escalated her fears for her personal safety. The complaint also mentions that despite previous attempts at reconciliation, including withdrawing earlier complaints in hopes of restoring peace, the alleged cruelty persisted, compelling her to seek legal intervention.
The FIR further accuses Raja Bhaiya of engaging in multiple extramarital affairs, including a purported ongoing relationship with a journalist from a prominent news channel. Bhanvi Singh contends that her objections to these alleged affairs resulted in increased hostility and violence towards her. She recounts an incident from 2016 where, during a confrontation over one such affair, Raja Bhaiya, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, fired a gun at her twice.
Additionally, the complaint highlights concerns about the safety and well-being of their children. Bhanvi Singh alleges that when she enrolled their minor daughter in a Delhi school to distance her from her father’s influence, Raja Bhaiya physically assaulted the child, resulting in permanent hearing damage. She also claims that he neglected his financial responsibilities towards the family, refusing to provide for household expenses or their children’s needs.
In light of these allegations, the Delhi police have registered a case under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to husband or relative of husband subjecting a woman to cruelty. The investigation is ongoing, and further actions will be determined based on its findings.
Raja Bhaiya, a six-time MLA from the Kunda constituency in Uttar Pradesh, has not publicly responded to these allegations at this time. The couple’s marital discord became public in November 2022 when Raja Bhaiya filed for divorce, accusing his wife of cruelty and desertion. In response, Bhanvi Singh has consistently denied these claims and expressed her unwillingness to divorce, stating her intent to protect her children’s interests and her rightful place in the matrimonial home.
This case adds to the series of legal disputes between the estranged couple, including previous allegations of fraud and forgery. As the investigation proceeds, all eyes are on the legal system to ensure a fair and just resolution to these serious accusations
