A young woman who was to be seen by a prospective groom’s family on Friday morning, was killed in a midnight acid attack in Kushinagar district. Her mother remains critical, with police now probing whether the assault was driven by personal enmity or linked to her impending marriage.
The victim, identified as Kajal Yadav, 23, died during treatment at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, while her mother, Leelawati, alias Kaushalya Devi, 58, is battling for life. The attack took place in Morwan Imlia village under Ramkola police station limits in the early hours of Friday.
According to police and family members, Kajal was sleeping with her mother in a first-floor room when unidentified assailants allegedly entered the house, reached the room through the roof or staircase, threw acid on the mother-daughter duo and bolted the door from outside before fleeing.
The family was awakened by screams and banging from inside the room.
Kajal’s father Prabhunath Yadav, 64, a recently retired employee, and other relatives rushed and broke open the locked door and found both women writhing in pain with severe burn injuries. They were first taken to a local community health centre and later referred to BRD Medical College, where Kajal was declared dead.
Investigators are now examining whether the attack was aimed at sabotaging the marriage or stemmed from a dispute involving the victim.
{{/usCountry}}Investigators are now examining whether the attack was aimed at sabotaging the marriage or stemmed from a dispute involving the victim.
{{/usCountry}}Keshav Kumar, SP, Kushinagar, said that an FIR has been registered on the complaint of Kajal’s brother, Abhishek Yadav. Abhishek has named Abhimanyu Yadav and Chhotu alias Bittu Kushwaha as suspects.
“Two persons have been named on suspicion. Five teams have been formed and the investigation is underway from all possible angles, including personal rivalry,” the SP said.
Senior officers, including S Chinnappa, DIG, Gorakhpur Range, visited the crime scene on Friday.
Police sources said the family has not reported any known dispute in the village, but officers are closely examining whether the victim had recently received threats or whether the upcoming marriage may have triggered the attack.
Forensic evidence has been collected from the house and the suspects are being questioned.