JOIN USAcid attack on doctor riding to work in Delhi
A 30-year-old doctor working with a government hospital sustained burns when two motorcycle-borne assailants threw acid on her in west Delhi's Rajouri Garden on Tuesday, the police said. The attack was caught on CCTV cameras installed in the market.
Amrit Kaur, who lives with family in west Delhi’s Hari Nagar, was on her way to ESI Hospital in Basai Darapur at around 9:20 am on Tuesday when the attack took place. After initial investigation, police suspected it to be a case of personal enmity or an act of a jilted lover. Amrit has been married for eight months and her husband is yet to get a clean chit in the incident.
“The woman was riding a moped due to which her face was partially covered with a helmet. Footage of CCTV cameras revealed that two men came on a motorcycle and threw acid on her,” said a police officer. The attack was captured by CCTV cameras installed outside a shop in Rajouri Garden market.
The CCTV footage shows that the men approached Amrit and tried to snatch her bag kept in the front portion of the moped. Before she could understand anything, they took out a bottle of acid and threw it on her face. She resisted their attempts and pushed them to escape serious injuries.
A call was made to the police control room and Amrit was rushed to a nearby nursing home. However, it is alleged that the nursing home refused to admit her. Soon, the woman’s parents reached there and took her to ESI Hospital in Basai Darapur. “She was referred to AIIMS,” the officer added. Amrit sustained burns on her face, neck and right hand. Her statement has been recorded and a case under section 326-A (causing grievous hurt by throwing acid) of the Indian Penal Code has been filed.
In her statement, the victim told the police that she did not know the men or suspect anyone. She said she was surprised that anyone would want to attack her. The Police are analysing the CCTV footage to identify the accused. She shouted for help, but no one in the busy market came to her rescue.
The incident again raises serious questions about implementation of Supreme Court guidelines as acid is still easily available in the market. The Supreme Court in July 2013 had 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.