Devaki Theeng of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-1 lodged a complaint in October last year with the Police Women’s Cell against her husband Aaite Theeng for physically and verbally abusing her under the influence of alcohol.

In the first nine months of the current fiscal year, 289 cases of domestic violence have been registered with the women's cell of the police in Makawanpur. Out of them, 182 cases have been settled and 107 cases are in process. After analysing all the cases of domestic violence, the police estimated that most of the incidents of domestic violence took place after alcohol consumption.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson of the District Police Office in Makawanpur Jayeshwar Rimal, most of the criminal activities are committed under the influence of alcohol.

Three months ago in Thaha Municipality, a man strangled his wife to death after consuming alcohol. Last year in Hetauda Sub-metropolis-4 of Gardoi, a drunk man beat his wife to death while she was sleeping at night.

According to Deputy Inspector of Police Anjani Kumari Upreti, who is also the Chief of Police Women’s Cell in Makawanpur, they receive five to seven cases of domestic violence a day.

“Some only come to us to share their hurt and anger and return without filing a formal complaint. When the victims register complaints against their perpetrators, we bring the accused in for preliminary investigation,” said Upreti.

“Consumption of alcohol is one of the most common reasons behind domestic violence. The victims have mentioned in their complaints that their husbands get physically abusive when they get drunk,” she said.

A majority of domestic violence cases are settled out of court since the victims choose to reconcile with their husbands.

“Earlier, domestic violence victims did not even approach us but these days women are aware of what legal steps they can take to stop the abuse,” said Upreti. “But only a few cases make it to the court since the aggressor pleads guilty in front of the police and the women forgive them.”

Last year, only two cases of domestic violence were registered in the court and only one has been registered in the last five months of the current fiscal year. In the fiscal year 2020-21, 406 cases of domestic violence were registered.

“Cases of domestic violence are not on the rise; they are always present. It is just that more women are coming forward and talking about it with the police,” said Upreti.

“Most of the domestic violence incidents and criminal activities are perpetuated by people under the influence of alcohol,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Rimal. “The authorities must control the sale and distribution of alcohol in the villages to put a stop to domestic violence.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Saraswati BK of Hetauda sub-metropolitan-19 is a mother of two girls and a victim of domestic violence.

“My husband and mother-in-law have been beating and abusing me under various pretexts but mostly because I haven’t given birth to a son,” said Saraswati. “My husband, under the influence of alcohol, also tried to evict me and my daughters from the house but then I went to the Women's Cell of the District Police Office with my neighbour on January 30 and later reconciled with my husband.”