Woman injured in alleged acid attack in northeast Delhi; suspect arrested
A 24-year-old woman suffered burn injuries to her face and other parts of her body after a man allegedly threw a corrosive substance at her in northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura area on Tuesday morning, police said.
The 41-year-old suspect, who was reportedly known to the woman, was arrested later in the day. Police said he had allegedly been pursuing her for several months and became upset after she stopped responding to his calls and messages.
The woman was on her way to work when the incident occurred near Ghonda Chowk, according to investigators. She was initially taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital and was later shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where she is receiving treatment.
Police said she is currently out of danger but has not yet been considered fit to record a statement.
Police investigation
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Rahul Alwal said police received information about the incident at around 7.10am. A police response vehicle took the woman to hospital shortly after the attack.
Investigators allege that the suspect approached the woman and threw a diluted corrosive liquid at her before fleeing the area. Police said he was subsequently traced and arrested in northeast Delhi.
According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect had known the woman for around six months. Police are also examining whether jealousy or a personal dispute contributed to the alleged attack.
The accused has been booked under Section 124(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt through the use of acid or a similar substance.
Source of corrosive substance under investigation
Police allege that the suspect works as a painter at a bus workshop and obtained sulphuric acid from a bus battery before the incident. Investigators have recovered material believed to be connected to the attack and are examining the circumstances in which the substance was obtained.
Police also said the suspect had previously lived in the same building as the woman.
Authorities have withheld the accused’s identity to protect the privacy of the victim.
The investigation is continuing, with police examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the sequence of events. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.
