A 20-year-old youth allegedly tried to pour acid down a teenager's throat and then tried to drown her in the sea, even as she screamed for help, stunning the night-time beach walkers at the Gorai beach late on Saturday.
The youth, Jitendra Sakpal, was overpowered by an auto-rickshaw driver, while others rushed the girl, who had sustained severe burns on her face and internal injuries in her throat, to a hospital, where she is reported to be in a critical condition.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahesh Patil later said Sakpal has been charged with attempting to commit murder.
Sakpal has denied the charges and is instead insisting that he was trying to snatch the acid bottle from the girl and trying to stop her from committing suicide by rushing into the sea.
Sakpal and the girl—both residents of the far-flung western suburb of Dahisar—had parted ways around two months ago after her parents opposed the relationship.
However, on Saturday Sakpal called the girl to Gorai beach for reconciliation.
Case of stalking
Past police records show that soon after the break-up, the girl's relatives had filed a complaint with the police accusing Sakpal of “stalking” her and threatening her with dire consequences in public spaces.
Sakpal had subsequently been warned by the police, and thereafter laid low for some time, the girl's relatives told mediapersons here.
Patil said while it is yet to be confirmed whether Sakpal had tried to pour acid down the girl's throat, “as of now we will be seeking police custody till forensic experts come to some conclusion in the matter”.
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