London:
Paromita Verma, the estranged wife of recalled Indian diplomat Anil Verma, has claimed that her husband hit her more than once and she was "extremely fearful" of her fate if she was forced to return to India.
In a statement contained in her complaint to the Family Division of the Royal Courts of Justice here, she said: "I am extremely fearful of what might happen to me and my son if we are forced to return to India."
Referring to the December 11 attack which resulted in India recalling Verma, who was Minister (Economic) in the High Commission here, back to Delhi, Paromita said, "He hit me hard, resulting in profuse bleeding."
She claimed that Verma had also used physical force against her in Delhi in October 2008 before coming to London and again in October and November 2009 in London. But, according to the Scotland Yard which investigated the assault case, "she suffered a minor facial injury."
The report said, "We were accompanied by a London Ambulance Service and she was taken to hospital for precautionary X-Ray."
Paromita claimed that her father in law had also assaulted her during her visit to her in-laws' place in Varanasi. "I was assaulted by my father-in-law and verbally abused."
She alleged that her father-in-law summoned 200 locals, who tried to stone her to death. This was a traumatic experience for the couple's son, who suffers from "prune belly syndrome" and is presently undergoing treatment for this, she said.
Paromita, who wants to stay here for an indefinite period, has secured an ex-parte "non-molestation" order against Verma restraining him from coming near their son. The next hearing is expected in a couple of weeks.
The December 11 incident was provoked by a gift, a Christmas tree, made by Paromita's aunt -- her mother's sister who is married to Robert Chase and lives near their house -- for their son. This was objected to by Verma and led to an altercation. Verma left London on January 21 on orders from the Government of India.
The British Foreign Office has notified Paromita and other dependants of Verma -- his mother-in-law, a step-son and a housekeeper -- that they are required to leave by February 22.