• My sister in law is harassing my family

My brother and sister-in-law have been married for ten years and have a seven-year-old child. For many years, she has harassed my brother, me, and my mother. We are sensitive and respectful people, and because we do not want to cause conflict in the family, we have always tolerated her controlling, domineering, torturing, and mental abuse. 

She has been so verbally abusive to my brother that he has developed depression and bipolar disorder and has been receiving treatment for the past three years. Her demeanour has become more aggressive, and she is corrupting the child against us. She has been blackmailing us to divorce for several years and has been extremely disrespectful to us, knowing that we are putting up with all of this for the sake of the kid. 

I had to leave the house because she was harassing me as well. My brother is terrified of her, and she has been torturing him by threatening to move alone with the child. We told her to keep the house and stay there, but if she insists, we will leave. But her behaviour is too concerning; she has already threatened to file a complaint against my brother, myself, and my mother and to take us to the police station. 

We've always noticed that she gets sadistic pleasure from hurting and inflicting pain on us. When we are in pain, she appears to be very happy, but she cannot stand seeing us happy. She is now behaving like she is mentally unstable and refuses to go to therapy. She is poisoning the 7-year-old boy against his father and us. I intend to bring my mother with me soon because she is too old to put up with this torture. I'm very concerned about my nephew and brother. 

My brother is terrified of her and agrees with everything she says because of the child, but she continues to pick on him and blackmail him, threatening to expose his mental health to the court and the world. He wasn't mentally ill before he married her, but the last three years have taken their toll on him. 

We informed her parents about her behaviour, and her mother's only response was that her daughter is angry and will change her ways, but we have been subjected to this torture for so long. Her parents are always aware of her actions. This will have a significant impact on the child, and I'm not sure how to assist. Any advise will be much appreciated.
Asked 1 year ago in Family Law
Religion: Hindu

3 answers received in 2 hours.

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9 Answers

You people should stop tolerating her all ill behavior and non sense. The reason of your suffering is that uou people have tolerated her. Your sister in law is required to be countered. You and your mother are firstly required to take few preventive measures so as to be protective to maximum extend. Your mother too have several remedies. Your brother issue be handled separately. To suggest remedies facts are required to be examined in detail. If required consult with detail. 

Siddharth Srivastava
Advocate, Delhi
1346 Answers

1. Record her outbursts and let your brother file a contested divorce case against her on the basis of cruelty and mental harassment.

2.  As rightly suggested by you, bring your mother to your house.

3.  If it's possible take your sister-in-law to a Counselor to change her behaviour.

Shashidhar S. Sastry
Advocate, Bangalore
5408 Answers
329 Consultations

If your brother is being threatened or physically abused, you may consider filing a complaint with the local police. They can conduct an initial investigation and Your brother may be eligible for protection orders such as a restraining order or a protection from domestic violence order. These orders can help prevent further abuse and harassment. In many cases, mediation can be an effective way to resolve disputes between spouses. A professional mediator can facilitate communication and help reach an amicable resolution. If your brother decides to pursue divorce, child custody and visitation rights will be a significant concern. The court will determine what is in the best interest of the child, taking into account factors such as the child's well-being and the ability of each parent to provide a stable environment. If your brother's mental health is being used against him, it may be beneficial to have an independent mental health evaluation conducted by a qualified psychiatrist. This can provide evidence of his mental health status and any changes that have occurred during the marriage. Document instances of abuse, threats, and harassment. Save text messages, emails, or any other evidence that could support your case. If the situation does not improve, your brother may consider initiating legal proceedings for divorce or legal separation. Encourage your brother to seek support from friends and family members during this difficult time. Emotional support is crucial. If the child is being manipulated or affected by the situation, it may be beneficial for the child to undergo counselling to help cope with the emotional impact.

 

Akram Khan
Advocate, Gwalior
20 Answers

You brother should file for divorce on grounds of mental cruelty 

 

2) wife abusing husband and family amounts to mental cruelty 

 

3) record her threats .it would help your brother in making out a case against his wife 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
96918 Answers
7820 Consultations

- As per Supreme Court judgement, wife is expected to move in with the relatives of their husbands, follow the rules and customs of their home, and ideally, blend in seamlessly as a new daughter. 

- Further, the court granted divorce to a man on the grounds of “cruelty” after his wife refused to share a home with her in-laws.

- Further, If wife is not supporting her husband for the enjoyment of life and denying relation, then the husband can get divorce after filing a divorce petition before the court on this ground.

- If she is creating problem for your mother , then your mother can file a complaint under the provision of DV act against her daughter in law for the harassment. 

- Further, if she is living in your mothers house , then your mother can file a suit before the court for evicting her from her house due to her mistreat. 

- Further, your brother can also file a divorce petition before the family court on the ground of cruelty. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14505 Answers
221 Consultations

You take your mother with you to reside in your house in order to avoid her being subjected to further acts of cruelties.

After that your mother can lodge a criminal complaint against her daughter in law before local police for all types of cruel activities she had unleashed against your mother.

Your mother can file a DV case also against her daughter in law seeking protection.

These cases against her daughter in law will come to her rescue if the daughter in law files false criminal cases against your mother and others.

Your brother had been tolerating all these tortures for over 10 years period of time, hence if he feels that it is no more possible to withstand all such pressures, he can file a contested divorce case on the grounds of mental and physical cruelties 

You can sort out the issues one by one, i.e., your mother's problem with her and then your brother to sort out his own problem with her and then think about getting the child into his custody based on the situation 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87120 Answers
2338 Consultations

Your brother should consider filing for divorce on the grounds of mental cruelty. To strengthen his case, it's advisable to record any threats made by his wife, as this evidence can be valuable in demonstrating the extent of the mistreatment he has endured. When a spouse verbally abuses their husband and his family, it can be viewed as a form of mental cruelty, further supporting his case for divorce.

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
10164 Answers
119 Consultations

In such a scenario you should first of all write a complaint to ACP/DCP concerned. You must do this before she takes any step. 

If your sister-in-law is threatening to take you or your brother to the police, it's important to know that you have rights. You are not legally required to stay in an abusive relationship, and you cannot be arrested for leaving.

 

Akshit Aggarwal
Advocate, Delhi
52 Answers

You need to counter her false cases by contesting the same in court. 

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
32479 Answers
200 Consultations

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