Topic:- Domestic Violence

Title: - HOPE BEYOND HURT

Characters:
1. Zoya – The main female protagonist, married to Zaved, hoping
for a loving future. – Priyanshi
2. Zaved – Zoya's husband, a ticket collector, who becomes
abusive. - Rahul
3. Fatima – Zoya's mother, disapproves of Zaved and wants her
daughter to leave him. – Tanushree
4. Zulfi – A mutual friend, tries intervening and supporting Zoya. –
Mehak
5. Inspector Pandey – The local police inspector, aware of Zaved's
actions. – Kranti
6. Police Constable – Works at the station and helps with the
complaint. Sai
7. Doctor – Confirms Zoya’s pregnancy and provides support. –
Deepika
8. Zoya’s advocate - Mr. Joshi - Vardaan
9. Zaved’s advocate - Ms Akriti – A very Greedy lawyer because of
money she takes the case of Zaved - Pratiksha
10. Judge - Aahi
11. Narrator – Shashank

Act I: A Love Tested

Scene 1: [Living room, in the Evening] [ Back home from
office]
Zoya: How was your day?
Zaved: It was a hectic day.
Zoya: Why? What happens?
Zaved: Due to the Diwali holiday more work is pending. So, they
are needed to be completed.
Zoya: Okay, no need to stress, everything will be okay.
Zaved: I am exhausted. I am sleepy. Good night.

A few Months Later

[Due to pending & overload of work, he managed everything. So
nowadays he becomes irritated and very aggressive. He burst out
his aggression upon his wife]
[ Back to home from office, He came home drunk]
Zoya: Want some water?
[He ignores]
Zoya: Can I serve food for you?
Zaved: I DON’T WANT IT. JUST GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.
Zoya: What happen to you? Why are you behaving like this?
Zaved: [Slapped her] Aren’t you getting my point? I said LEAVE.
Zoya: Sorry.

Scene 2: [The next morning, Zoya’s Mother comes home, and

Zulfi also comes]
Fatima: How are you, My Child?
Zoya: I am all good. Please come in.
Zulfi: How are you sis? [Hugs her]
Zoya: Fine [Smile]
Zulfi: Is everything okay?
Zoya: Yes, of course, everything is good
Zulfi: Then, what happened to your face?
Zoya: [Hiding her face] Nothing
Zulfi: Let me see
Fatima: What are you hiding from us?
Zoya: Nothing Mom
Fatima: Seriously
Zoya: Mom, please sit
Fatima: [ Angry but concerned] Tell me now, Zoya, what are you
doing here alone? That husband of yours should be here with you,
not out wasting time and drinking.
Zoya: [Sighs] Mom, he got a job as a ticket collector…. It’s just the
stress of work. He will change. I know it.
Fatima: Change? Zoya, you can’t keep hoping for miracles, He’s
been abusive, and disrespectful, and every day he drifts farther
from the husband you dreamed of.
Zoya: [Hesitant] Mom, I…I still believe in him. Maybe he just needs
time.
Zulfi: Zoya, I can’t stand back and watch this anymore. Fatima
Aunty is right. Zaved’s behaviour is getting worse.
Fatima: Finally, someone with sense. We need to go to the police,
Zulfi, Zaved needs to understand that he cannot treat my daughter
like this.
Zoya: [ Protesting] No! I can’t ruin his reputation…. I can’t go to
the police. He’s my husband, and I want to give him more chance.
Zulfi: [ Sternly] Zoya, giving him another chance is one thing, but
putting yourself in harm’s way is another.

[ Suddenly Zaved enters, he hears all the conversation]

Zaved: Namaste
Fatima: Namaste
Zaved: What a surprise Mom! you are here today
Fatima: Just came to meet both of you. Now it’s time to leave
[ After they left, he started scolding & beating Zoya badly]
Zaved: How dare you say anything against me in front of your
mother?
[ Heated argument]
Scene 3: Police Station [Inspector Pandey is sitting at his desk
when Zulfi and Fatima enter, along with Zoya, who looks
hesitant.)

Inspector Pandey: (calmly) What brings you here today?

Fatima: Inspector, my daughter is suffering. Her husband, Zaved,
has become abusive. He’s out of control.
Zulfi: We’re here to file a complaint, Inspector. Zaved needs to
know he can’t get away with this.
Zoya: (whispering to herself) I don’t want him to get in trouble…
Inspector Pandey: (noticing Zoya’s hesitation) Zoya, you have to
understand that standing up for yourself is not wrong. We’re here
to help.
Zoya: (reluctantly) Okay… I will file the complaint.
[Inspector Pandey nods to Constable, who take down her
complaint details.]
Constable: What is your name?
Zoya: My name is Zoya Zaved Khan
Constable: Against whom you are complaining?
Zoya: My husband Zaved
Constable: What is the reason?
Fatima: My daughter is getting abused by her husband he is
continuously beating and abusing her.

[Zaved confronts Zoya and her mother on the way home, clearly
furious.]

Zaved: [Yelling] You think running to the police will solve

anything? Do you think you can humiliate me like this?
Fatima: She had no choice! You’re destroying her, Zaved! You’ve
become nothing but a disgrace.
Zoya: [pleading] Zaved, please… I didn’t want this. I just want us
to be happy again.
Zaved: [sneering] Happy? Don’t make me laugh, Zoya. You’ve
chosen to turn everyone against me.
[He storms off, leaving Zoya visibly shaken.]

Scene 4: Doctor’s clinic [Zoya is seated with a doctor, who

gently gives her some unexpected news.]

Doctor: Zoya, I have some news. You’re pregnant.

Zoya: (in shock) Pregnant? I… I don’t know if this is good or bad
news… (pauses) Will this change him?
Doctor: (kindly) Only you can decide what’s best for you and your
child. You need to put your own well-being first.

Scene 5: Zoya’s Home [Fatima and Zulfi are waiting anxiously

as Zoya returns.]

Fatima: [Concerned] Zoya, what did the doctor say?

Zoya: [softly] I’m pregnant, Mom.
Zulfi: [relieved but worried] Maybe this will be the turning point,
Zoya. But remember, change won’t happen overnight.
Fatima: [Firmly] Zoya, you need to think about the future. If Zaved
doesn’t change, you can’t keep waiting.
[Zoya looks torn, unsure of her path forward.]

Scene 6: Zaved's Confrontation with Inspector Pandey

[Inspector Pandey visits Zoya and Zaved’s home. Zaved is
visibly annoyed.]

Inspector Pandey: Zaved, we need to talk. This complaint won’t go

away unless you change your behavior.
Zaved: [mockingly] You’re telling me how to handle my own wife?
Zoya is my responsibility.
Inspector Pandey: (firmly) Abuse is not responsibility, Zaved. If
you continue, there will be consequences.
[Zaved looks uneasy but puts on a defiant face as Inspector
Pandey leaves.]

Scene 7: Zoya’s Decision – Final Confrontation

[Late at night. Zoya is at home, gathering her things, with tears in

her eyes. Zaved enters and sees her packing.]
Zaved: [Angry] What do you think you’re doing?
Zoya: [Determined but emotional] I’m leaving, Zaved. I gave you
every chance. I even stayed when everyone told me to leave. But I
can’t do this anymore, not for me, and not for our child.
Zaved: [Softening] Zoya… you can’t leave. You’re my wife.
Zoya: [Firmly] A wife isn’t someone to hurt or control. I’ve tried
everything, but I won’t let my child grow up like this.
(Zaved falls silent, watching her pack, as Fatima and Zulfi arrive to
help her.]
Fatima: Zoya, it’s time to go. You’ve made the right choice.
Zulfi: We’re here for you, Zoya. You don’t have to face this alone.
[They help Zoya out, leaving Zaved standing alone in the
apartment, realizing what he has lost.]

Scene 8: In Court [ The court room is in session. The judge

sits at the bench , the prosecutor and the defence attorney
are seated at their tables]

Judge: Good morning, everyone, we are here today for the case of
a Domestic violence charge. I will remind both parties to maintain
decorum during the proceedings.
[ The judge looks at the prosecutor and the defence attorney]
Judge: Prosecutor (Mr. Joshi) are you ready to proceed?
Mr. Joshi: Yes, your honour. The prosecution is ready.
Judge: Defence
Ms. Akriti: Yes, your honour. We are ready as well.
Judge: Very well. Let the record reflect that we are ready to
proceed. Let’s begin with opening statements.
Mr. Joshi: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today you will hear
the story of Zoya who was subjected to a Physical and emotional
abuse by the defendant Zaved. The victim will testify to the
ongoing violence they endured in their home which escalated
over time.
Ms. Akriti: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the prosecution will
try to paint a picture of abuse, but we ask you to remember that
not everything is as it seems. Yes, there were disagreements,
there were moments of frustration. But we will demonstrate that
the victim claims are not correct and that the evidence does not
support the allegation of violence.
Advocate with Zoya
Judge: Victim should be called on witness box for further
proceeding.
[ The victim takes the stand on witness box]
Ms. Akriti: Zoya ji you have filed a case on my client. But as per my
client you are mentally unstable.
Zoya: [Clam and silent]
Mr. Joshi: [ In loud voice] Your honour, Ms. Akriti is diverting the
case and making my client anxious
Ms. Akriti: [Rudely] Mr. Joshi your client is silent that proves
somewhat my points are correct.
Mr. Joshi: I want to ask question to Zoya’s Mother Mrs Fatima
Judge: Permission granted
Advocate with Fatima
Mr. Joshi: How long have you been aware of the alleged abuse?
Fatima: I…. I’ve known for about 2-3 years ago.
Ms. Akriti: When you have known it before then why you didn’t
saved your daughter earlier?
Fatima: Because I wanted to make sure that my daughter is safe.
Mr. Joshi: Can you describe the circumstances in which you first
learn of abuse?
Fatima: Well, she came to me one night when she had some
injuries.
Ms. Akriti: Did your daughter ever tell you about prior incident of
abuse before that?
Fatima: Yes, she had. But She was too afraid to speak up earlier.
She said she was sacred of what her husband might do if she told
anyone.
Mr. Joshi: Did you ever notice any signs of abuse before your
daughter confided to you?
Fatima: Looking back. I noticed her behaviour had changed. She
was quieter, distanced from her friend Zulfi.
Mr. Joshi: I want to ask question to Mr. Zaved
Judge: Permission granted
Mr. Joshi: Mr. Zaved have you ever had an extra marital affair.
Zaved: No
Judge: Time over. Case will continue next day.

Scene 9: Next day in court

Mr. Joshi: I want to ask question to Mr. Zaved

Judge: Permission granted
Mr. Joshi: Can you clarify the evidence that directly supports the
claim of physical abuse Mr. Zaved?
Ms. Akriti: Your honour what he wants to proof by asking all this
rubbish question to my client.
Mr. Joshi: That is not the answer Ms. Akriti
Ms. Akriti: My client has told to court that Mrs Zoya is mentally
unstable.
Mr. Joshi: Your Honour can I call my last witness Ms. Zulfi to
witness box?
Judge: Permission granted
Mr. Joshi: Your honour, I have one evidence that proves that my
client is abused.
Mr. Joshi: Ms. Zulfi can you show the evidence to jury
[Zulfi showing video of Zoya being abused]
[ After seeing the video, the defence was silent]
Judge: Ms. Akriti do you want to say anything?
Ms. Akriti: [Silent] No your honour
Judge: After seeing both sides, court concluded that Mr. Zaved is
guilty and Mrs. Zoya is humiliated by Mr. Zaved and abused.
According to section 498A of IPC Act, 2015 of Domestic violence
and section 193 for False evidence Mr. Zaved is imprisoned for 10
years. For Domestic violence 3 years and for false evidence 7
years.

Conclusion:
In Hope Beyond Hurt, Zoya's story mirrors the lives of countless
individuals facing domestic abuse. According to recent reports, an
estimated 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual
violence, often from an intimate partner. In India alone, over 30%
of women have faced domestic violence in some form. These
numbers highlight that Zoya’s struggle is shared by millions who
endure similar pain, often in silence.
This act calls for awareness, empathy, and action. Each one of us
can play a role in supporting victims by being informed, offering
help, and encouraging others to seek justice. Together, we can
help survivors find hope, strength, and the courage to move
beyond hurt.

END