Two children left behind as Surat man appeals to police and Gujarat minister for action
A deeply distressing family dispute from Gujarat’s Surat has drawn public attention after a man alleged that his wife left their home with a close family relative, abandoning their two young children in the process. The incident, widely discussed in the Nanpura and Mahidharpura areas of the city, has raised concerns about the emotional and legal consequences for the family involved.
The case, now being referred to online as the Surat Woman Elopes With Nephew incident, revolves around allegations made by the husband, identified as Pankaj, who claims his wife left with a man he describes as her nephew within the extended family. Pankaj has also accused the pair of taking cash and gold jewellery from the house before leaving.
Seeking help, the visually impaired man has approached the Surat Police Commissioner’s Office and has also appealed to Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, requesting intervention and a fair investigation.
Couple had been married for more than a decade
According to Pankaj, the couple married for love around 12 years ago and began their life together in Surat. They initially lived in the Mahidharpura area, where he says they built a stable family life and later became parents to a daughter and a son.
For several years, he claims, the family lived peacefully. His mother reportedly supported the household financially whenever required, helping the couple manage their expenses during difficult times.
However, Pankaj alleges that the situation changed significantly about two years ago when a male relative, identified as Shankar, began visiting their home frequently.
Husband alleges friendship led to an affair
Pankaj claims Shankar first developed a friendship with him, which made his regular visits to the family home appear normal. Over time, however, he says the relationship between Shankar and his wife became romantic.
According to the husband’s account, he confronted his wife after learning about the alleged affair and urged her to think about their children and family. He says she admitted her mistake at that time and assured him that she would end all contact with Shankar.
Pankaj now alleges that those assurances were not genuine and that the relationship continued in secret while he was away at work.
These allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly confirmed the details.
Allegations of theft before leaving home
Beyond the alleged relationship, Pankaj has accused his wife of repeatedly taking money from the household over a period of time.
He claims that on June 23, between approximately 3:30 pm and 4:45 pm, she left the house along with Shankar after taking cash and four pairs of gold earrings belonging to their daughter.
According to his complaint, she allegedly created a dispute with her mother-in-law before leaving, using the argument as a reason to walk out of the house.
Police have not officially confirmed these allegations, and any criminal liability will depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Husband claims others helped the couple
Pankaj has also alleged that other relatives were aware of the relationship and assisted the couple after they left home.
He specifically named a woman called Sangeeta, whom he described as a relative from his wife’s family, along with another individual named Chetan.
According to him, his wife stayed at Sangeeta’s residence after leaving the family home, while Shankar allegedly visited the same location during the night. Pankaj further claimed that although these relatives knew about the alleged relationship, they did not inform him.
He also alleged that when he attempted to meet his wife while accompanied by his children, disputes occurred and the children were not allowed to stay there.
These claims remain allegations made by the complainant and have not been independently established.
Family tragedy followed within days
Pankaj says the family’s difficulties became even more severe only days after his wife allegedly left.
According to him, his father died on June 27, just three days after the incident. He says the emotional impact of losing his wife and then his father in such a short period has left him devastated.
The combination of personal loss and public discussion surrounding the case has, he says, placed enormous emotional pressure on both him and his family.
Husband says he attempted suicide
Speaking about his emotional condition, Pankaj said he struggled to cope with the events and even attempted suicide following the incident.
He said family members and neighbours intervened and persuaded him to continue living for the sake of his two children.
Pankaj described himself as emotionally exhausted, saying he feels he has lost the strength to continue fighting the legal battle on his own.
Mental health experts often advise people facing severe emotional distress to seek immediate support from family members, mental health professionals, or emergency services rather than facing such situations alone.
Police response questioned by complainant
A major part of the dispute now concerns the police response.
Pankaj alleges that he has been visiting Athwa Police Station for several weeks but has not received satisfactory assistance. According to him, officers have repeatedly assured him that action would be taken, but he believes no significant progress has been made.
He further claimed that his wife once appeared at a local police outpost after her photograph circulated on social media, yet no concrete legal action followed.
These allegations reflect the complainant’s version of events. Surat Police have not publicly responded to these specific claims.
Appeal reaches Police Commissioner’s Office
After becoming frustrated with the local investigation, Pankaj approached the Surat Police Commissioner’s Office seeking higher-level intervention.
According to his account, an official instructed local police to examine CCTV footage that could potentially assist the investigation.
However, Pankaj alleges that the direction was not implemented and that even after approximately 25 days, he has not received any meaningful update regarding the status of the case.
There has been no official confirmation from the police regarding these allegations.
Visually impaired father says he is struggling to care for children
Pankaj also spoke about the financial and physical challenges he now faces.
He says he suffers from a serious eye condition that significantly affects his vision after sunset, making everyday activities and employment more difficult.
According to him, he earns approximately ₹11,000 to ₹12,000 per month, making him the family’s only source of income after his wife left. With two children now entirely dependent on him, he says balancing work and childcare has become extremely difficult.
He has appealed to Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi to ensure that his complaint receives proper attention and that the investigation proceeds fairly.
Husband says he is willing to forgive for the children’s future
Despite the allegations of betrayal and theft, Pankaj says his greatest concern remains the wellbeing of his children.
He stated that there had been no major disputes between him and his wife before the incident and said he would be willing to accept her back if she returned home voluntarily, primarily so their children could grow up with both parents.
At the same time, he maintains that anyone found legally responsible for wrongdoing should face appropriate action under the law.
Investigation expected to determine the facts
The Surat Woman Elopes With Nephew case has generated significant public discussion because it combines allegations involving family relationships, child welfare, financial loss, and concerns over the pace of the police investigation.
At present, many of the claims in the matter originate from the complainant’s statements. The facts surrounding the alleged affair, theft, involvement of relatives, and any criminal offences will ultimately depend on the findings of the police investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the status of the investigation or confirming the allegations made by the husband. Until then, the matter remains under scrutiny, with the complainant continuing to seek legal action while caring for his two children.