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Acid attack victims at a protest in the city. (Source: Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

This year, there were more acid attack cases in the capital compared to last year, Delhi Police data shows. Twenty-three cases of acid attacks were reported till December 15 with nine cases solved, according to data. In comparison, 18 cases of acid attacks were reported last year, of which 12 were solved and the accused arrested.

On the heels of the police arresting a 30-year-old doctor, his associate and apprehending two juveniles for allegedly throwing acid at a woman doctor while she was on her way to work in West Delhi’s Rajouri Garden, Newsline revisited cases of acid attacks across all districts this year. In all cases, either the investigation or trial is pending. None of the accused arrested in nine of the 23 cases have been convicted till date.

Seven cases were reported from Northeast district, four each from Southeast, Central and East districts, three from Southwest district and one from West district. No cases were reported from South, Northwest and Outer districts. In all cases, the accused was known to the victim. In most cases, the accused were jilted lovers. All the victims were women in the14-30 age bracket. “In most cases, the accused’s proposal had been turned down by the victim. During questioning, most accused said they wanted to teach the women a lesson by disfiguring their face. In most cases, the accused used toilet cleaner (sulphuric acid), which is easily available in shops,” a police officer said.

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According to Supreme Court lawyer Anindita Pujari, the biggest problem faced by acid attack victims in their quest for justice is that the police try to “trivialise” the injuries, especially if the area of burns is not very large. Speaking about a client who she recently represented, Pujari said even though the attack damaged her eyes, throat and chest, the police claimed the injuries were “not very grievous” because she had “only 12 per cent burns”.

Another major problem, according to Pujari, is that often the victims go back to their parental homes. “The investigation and trial happens in the place where the attack happened, so the woman often does not get to know what is happening in the trial. She is out of the loop,” Pujari says.

Some cases this year

Northeast district

7cases, 5 solved

Jafrabad
April 1
A 23-year-old woman alleged two men, Sazid and Kaseem, forcibly entered her house and beat her up. The accused allegedly threw sulphuric acid on her and fled. The woman sustained burns on her face, stomach and hands. The accused were arrested, but investigation is pending.

New Usmanpur
May 28
Acid was thrown on the face of a 22-year-old woman after she and her boyfriend had an argument. The accused, Sunil, is absconding.

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Nand Nagri
Aug 8
A 26-year-old woman was allegedly attacked by two men in her neighbourhood after she had an argument with them. One of the accused, Vijay, was arrested.

Gokalpuri
Aug 23
A 28-year-old woman alleged that her brother-in-law barged inside her house and threw a plastic bag at her that had an acid-like substance. The woman suffered burns on her face. The accused, Sartaj, is absconding.

Seemapuri
Sept 25
A 28-year-old woman alleged two neighbours threw acid on her after she lodged a complaint against them for attacking her brother. Accused Ayub and Amirule Hassan have been arrested.
The other two cases in the district were reported from Welcome and Karawal Nagar police stations.

Southeast district

4 cases, 1 solved

Greater Kailash 1
June 9
A 30-year-old man was attacked by his wife. Reena, 26, allegedly threw acid on her husband while he was asleep on the terrace.

Central district

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Chandni Mahal
Feb 7
A 28-year-old woman alleged that a man flung acid on her as she was on her way home from Daryaganj. She burned her arm and hands. The accused, Sultan, was arrested.

IP Estate
April 15
A 28-year-old woman alleged that her husband and in-laws beat her up and threw acid on her. No one has been arrested.

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