A 22-year-old woman in Delhi narrowly escaped a horrific assault when a man, who had allegedly been harassing and assaulting her for years, threatened to throw acid on her. The Delhi Police confirmed the arrest of the accused, bringing a sense of relief to the survivor and her family while once again highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures against such crimes.
The Case Timeline
The incident traces back to 2019 when the accused began living as a tenant with the woman’s family. In 2020, when she was still a minor, he allegedly assaulted her for the first time. Over the following years, the accused is said to have continued threatening and assaulting her, forcing her into silence.
In July this year, the survivor finally told her parents about the repeated abuse. They confronted the tenant and asked him to vacate the flat. Though removed from the home, his harassment did not stop.
The Acid Attack Threat
On Friday, the woman arrived at her shop only to find the accused waiting. Confronting her, he questioned why she had told her parents to make him leave. When she refused his demand to live with him, he pulled out a bottle of acid and threatened to throw it on her if she didn’t comply.
Fearing for her life, the woman immediately approached the police, who launched a search to track the accused.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The police coordinated with the man’s acquaintances to track his movements. Friends and relatives confirmed that he worked as an accountant in a local factory. With this lead, officers traced his location near the workplace and arrested him on Sunday.
The Delhi Police registered a case under multiple sections, including those of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, given the survivor’s age during the earlier assaults.
The Larger Issue of Acid Threats
This case has once again raised alarm over the persistence of acid attacks and threats in India. Despite stricter regulations on the sale of acid and years of awareness campaigns, survivors continue to face the risk of such violence. Acid attacks leave not only physical scars but also lifelong trauma, making prevention critical.
Experts argue that greater enforcement of existing laws, better rehabilitation programs, and public accountability are needed to protect women from such violent threats.
Quick Takeaway
- A Delhi woman reported years of harassment and assault by a tenant who later threatened her with an acid attack.
- The accused had first assaulted her in 2020 when she was a minor.
- Police tracked him through his workplace and arrested him on Sunday.
- A case has been registered under POCSO and other relevant sections.
- The incident highlights ongoing challenges in preventing acid threats and gender-based violence.
FAQs
Q1: Where did the incident take place?
The case unfolded in Delhi, where the survivor had been living with her family.
Q2: Who was the accused?
The man was initially a tenant in the family’s home and later worked as an accountant in a factory.
Q3: What charges has he been booked under?
Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and additional sections relevant to harassment and threats.
Q4: Why is this case significant?
It sheds light on the ongoing issue of acid threats and gender-based violence, even after decades of advocacy for stricter control.
Q5: What action did the police take?
The police tracked his movement through contacts and arrested him near his factory.
