Can a wife live separate from her abusive husband?

yes if she feels mental torture she must be away from to protect her metal peace.If he is not comming to snces let her give befitting reply.But take some help from elders and prevail upon him and keep the evidance for the crulities she is suffering...

Yes, she can stay away with children and seek maintenance from husband/ father of children.

Wife may seek judicial separation.

What is your concern/ locus standie in this query??

It is advisable to consult a local prudent lawyer for proper appreciation of facts/documents, guidance and proceeding.

Dr. J C Vashishta Sir,

As a quick relief she just wants to move out of that house with her children and live in her mother's home for some months. There she can think whether to file for divorce or get judicial separation. 

She doesn't want any maintenance from her husband. All the main expenses like medical bills, clothes, education, etc of her comes from her mother's side. Her husband do nothing. He wants her to stay home all the time. No study, no shopping, no jobs, etc. And now this extra marital affair. It's been 9 years of torturous marriage. 

So the question is can her husband stop her leaving his house by law? Because when she reported domestic violence and asked for help in 'Mahila Thana' they told her to go back to her husband and report again when he beats her next time.

The best option is to proceed under the Domestic Violence Act.