The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi High Court to decide within four months a plea filed by Bhanvi Singh, wife of Uttar Pradesh MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh, popularly known as Raja Bhaiya, under the Domestic Violence Act. The order comes amid serious allegations of prolonged physical and mental abuse against the veteran politician.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan declined to entertain Bhanvi Singh’s plea directly, noting that the matter is already pending before the Delhi High Court. The apex court observed that judicial propriety required the High Court to first adjudicate the case.

The bench noted that the next hearing in the matter is scheduled for February 12. It clarified that the petitioner is free to seek an expedited hearing on that date and said the High Court should consider such a request in light of the grave allegations raised by Raja Bhaiya’s wife.

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Importantly, the Supreme Court fixed a four-month time frame for disposal of the case, pointing out that the High Court had stayed the summons issued to the Kunda MLA by the trial court. The apex court emphasized that prolonged delay would not be appropriate given the nature of the allegations.

Raja Bhaiya, founder of the Jansatta Dal Loktantrik party and a powerful political figure in Uttar Pradesh, was booked for alleged domestic violence following a complaint lodged by Bhanvi Singh in March 2025 at Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave police station. Police stated that the couple has been living separately for several years.

In her complaint, Bhanvi Singh accused her husband of decades-long physical and mental abuse, claiming the alleged violence caused severe harm to her mental and physical health. She has also alleged extramarital affairs and harassment by her in-laws, including her mother-in-law. Similar complaints were earlier raised before the National Commission for Women and other legal forums, highlighting the long-standing nature of the dispute.

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