A 22-year-old man allegedly broke into a house in Madhapur village and threw acid on his former fiancée and her younger sister while they were asleep early Sunday, reportedly after their family called off the proposed marriage.
The two women, aged 21 and 19, suffered burn injuries to their hands and shoulders. They were initially taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to a medical facility in Meerut. Officials said both are in stable condition.
Police arrested the accused, identified as Harsh Bhati, a resident of Awas Vikas Colony.
According to the victims’ father, Roshan, the family had earlier agreed to his elder daughter marrying Bhati. However, they recently cancelled the alliance after allegedly learning about his heavy drinking and behavioural problems.
“He was angry over the decision and threatened us. We never imagined that he would attack my daughters with acid while they were sleeping,” Roshan told police.
The incident took place at around 2am, when the family was asleep. The victims’ screams woke the household, prompting a police response following a Dial-112 emergency call at approximately 3am.
Garhmukteshwar CO Rahul Yadav said the accused had been taken into custody and that legal proceedings were underway.
Police have registered an FIR and are questioning Bhati to establish the circumstances of the attack and determine where he obtained the acid.
Investigators are also examining the events leading up to the assault as they work to establish the motive and gather evidence in the case.
