The 26-year-old Delhi woman, who attacked her 21-year-old neighbor with acid, was undergoing treatment for depression and “tantrums”, according to the accused’s sister.
The accused was allegedly in love with the neighbour’s fiancé and was therefore unable to accept the victim’s marriage, which was set for April 19.
The defendant’s 28-year-old sister said: “She used to have uncontrollable bouts of anger. Earlier, she wanted to pursue law, but recently she wanted to become a teacher after obtaining her degree in primary education.” Her sister also said that she had been treated for depression for more than a decade.
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Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Ashish Mishra said: “…The investigation revealed that the victim’s wedding was scheduled to take place on April 19, but another woman who was in a relationship with the potential groom threw acid on her.”
Mishra said Gokalpuri police received information about the attack on Tuesday afternoon. The police also revealed that they have not yet questioned the neighbour’s fiancé, but the accused’s mobile phone records show that she has been in contact with him.
“On reaching the spot in Indira Vihar area, the police learned that the victim had been shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital by her family members,” the officer told HT.
The defendant was a frequent visitor, and the families had known each other for years
The accused woman frequently visited the 21-year-old victim’s home and even had breakfast with the victim’s family on the day of the crime. The victim’s 18-year-old sister said that the families of the accused and the victim have known each other for years.
The sister said: “Then she returned at noon and asked my sister (the victim) to put henna on her hands because she had a wedding.” As the victim was applying henna, the accused allegedly took a cup out of her bag, saying it was an energy drink.
“While my sister was applying henna to her hands, the accused asked my sister to sit against the wall. Then she took another sip from her bag, which she claimed was lemon water,” the sister said, adding that the 26-year-old then threw the liquid on the victim’s face and body. The accused allegedly said: “Now, you drink this.”
While the victim was going out to wash, the accused tried to flee the house, but the neighbors who gathered outside the house caught him. A case has been registered at Gokalpuri police station under Section 124 (1) (causing grievous injury by acid) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
