A 26-year-old woman has been arrested in northeast Delhi for allegedly throwing acid on her 21-year-old neighbour, who was set to marry a man the accused was reportedly in a relationship with. The victim sustained serious facial burns and is undergoing treatment at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where she is said to be struggling with her vision. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, coming just days before the victim’s scheduled wedding.
Attack carried out under pretext
According to The Hindustan Times, the incident took place in the Gokalpuri area, where the accused was known to the victim’s family and had visited their home earlier in the day. Later, she returned and allegedly convinced the victim to apply henna, citing a wedding engagement. During this interaction, she reportedly produced a container, initially claiming it contained a harmless drink, before suddenly throwing the liquid on the victim’s face and upper body. The victim screamed in pain and rushed outside as neighbours gathered and managed to detain the accused before police arrived.
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Probe reveals motive linked to relationship
Investigators said the attack appears to have been driven by a personal dispute involving the victim’s fiancé. The victim’s wedding had been scheduled for April 19, and preliminary findings suggest the accused was unable to accept the marriage. Police have registered a case under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to acid attacks and grievous hurt. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot, and further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events.
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Victim’s condition and background
The victim, a postgraduate student, suffered severe burns to her face and upper body and is currently under medical care. Family members said the accused had longstanding ties with them and was a frequent visitor, which made the incident even more distressing. Meanwhile, the accused’s family claimed she had been undergoing treatment for mental health issues, a factor that investigators are also examining as part of the case. Police said the accused remains in custody and further questioning is ongoing as they piece together the circumstances leading up to the attack.