Kanakadurga walked into an empty home on Thursday.

The 44-year-old Kerala woman — who had been assaulted, thrown out of home and separated from her children after she, along with a friend, become the first women of childbearing age to enter the Sabarimala temple after the ban was lifted — made a court-facilitated return but found out that her husband and mother-in-law had left along with her kids to thwart her.

Her husband Krishnanunni and mother-in-law Sumathi deserted the house at Angadipuram town in Malappuram district, taking along Kanakadurga’s two minor children, to put up at a rented house elsewhere in the district. When Kanakadurga had returned home on January 15, Sumathi had allegedly beaten her up with a piece of wood, landing her in hospital.

Kanakadurga had been staying at a government home under police protection. On Tuesday, a village court allowed her to return home and ordered her husband and mother-in-law not to sell or rent out the house to keep her away.

Kanakadurga said she was looking for ways to ensure she was not distanced from her children.

“I was elated when the court allowed me to return home and be with my family,” Kanakadurga told reporters who had gathered outside the house in anticipation of her arrival.

She said she would live on in the empty house and work out a solution in consultation with her friends.

“I want to live with them. But they have moved out with my children. However, I am sure all issues will be solved sooner than later,” said Kanakadurga, who works at the department of civil supplies.

Kanakadurga’s maternal family, including her brother, have also distanced themselves from her after her visit to Sabarimala.

On September 28, the Supreme Court lifted the ban on the entry of women of childbearing age into the Sabarimala hill shrine, triggering fierce protests led by the Sangh parivar.