Chiranji Gill's beatings began two years ago after she gave birth to a third daughter. Her husband had wanted a boy.
On Saturday, emboldened by a new law that punishes violent husbands, Mrs Gill went to Chetanalya women's refuge in Jehangipuri, where she had earlier sought sanctuary, to ask how she could charge her husband.
Her husband, a bank clerk, appeared at the refuge later the same day. He too had heard of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act that came into effect last Thursday and feared she might complain.
'He said he was sorry and would never do it again. I think he's realised he can't get away with it now,' said Mrs Gill, who returned home with confidence that she can now restrain him with the law.
The legislation was prompted by surveys showing that 70 per cent of Indian women suffer physical or mental abuse by their husbands.
In Mrs Gill's case, it was the failure to produce a boy. But victims give many reasons, from failing to provide a more substantial dowry and talking to a man who is not a relative to coming home late or burning the dinner.
The new law is far-reaching. A spouse or live-in partner found guilty of any kind of abuse, marital rape, demanding a dowry, refusing to let a wife work or forcing her to watch pornography faces a year in jail, a fine of 20,000 rupees (HK$3,452), or both.