Man attacks wife, niece with acid

 A 32-year-old woman and her niece sustained burns after they were attacked with acid in east Delhi’s Mandawali on Monday. The accused has been identified as the woman’s husband who is absconding, the police said.

Kamla, a domestic help, stays with her husband Devender and three children at Indira Gali in Mandawali. Her 18-year-old niece Vani was also at home when the attack took place around 8 pm. “Kamla and Vani are undergoing treatment at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital,” a police officer said.

It is alleged that Devender returned home in an inebriated condition and got involved in a heated argument with Kamla. He was carrying a white plastic bottle of acid.
“Devender told Kamla to stop arguing with him, while Kamla told him to stop drinking alcohol,” the officer added.

In a fit of rage, Devender allegedly threw acid on Kamla causing severe burns all over her body. Kamla raised an alarm on which Vani came to help her and hugged her. “Devender, however, did not stop and emptied the bottle containing acid on Kamla and Vani,” the officer said.

Devender fled from the spot, while the victims were rushed to LBS Hospital in a police control room van. “Their condition is stated to be out of danger despite severe burns,” the officer added.

A case was registered against Devender with Mandawali police station. Devender has been booked under section 326-A (causing grievous hurt by throwing acid) of the Indian Penal Code. “Devender is absconding, and teams working to nab him,” said Mandeep S Randhawa, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-1 (East).

Kamla told the police that she and Devender used to regularly have heated arguments over drinking. Devender is suspected to have fled to his native village in Bihar.
The incident again raises serious questions about implementation of the Supreme Court guidelines as acid is still easily available in the market.

The Supreme Court in July had completely prohibited over-the-counter sale of acid and other corrosive chemicals unless the seller maintains a register recording the address and other details of the buyer, and the quantum.