Official arrested under India's new domestic abuse law

INDIA: An Indian official was arrested under a new law against domestic abuse for allegedly torturing his wife, a report said Saturday, in the first case of enforcement of the legislation introduced this week.

Police arrested Joseph, an employee of the Tamil Nadu State Water Board in southern India, for allegedly beating and then attacking his wife, Benedict Mary, with a sharp-edged umbrella on October 25 after an argument over money, the Press Trust of India said.

Mary, a school teacher, suffered injuries to her nose and neck and was in hospital, the report quoted local administrator G. Umaganapathy Sastri as saying.

India's Domestic Violence Act 2005, which came into effect on Thursday, aims to protect women against physical, mental and verbal abuse by husbands and live-in partners.

Violators face up to a year in prison and a fine of 20,000 rupees (435 dollars).

NEW DELHI, Sunday, AFP