Delhi: drunk man pours acid on wife, niece after argument

An inebriated man attacked his 32-year-old wife with acid in east Delhi’s Mandawali area on Monday night. Their niece also sustained minor burns when she tried to stop the man from attacking his wife, police said on Tuesday.

An inebriated man attacked his 32-year-old wife with acid in east Delhi’s Mandawali area on Monday night. Their niece also sustained minor burns when she tried to stop the man from attacking his wife, police said on Tuesday.

The woman, identified as one Bimla, was rushed to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment. She sustained 30% burns and is said to be out of danger. Her niece Rani, 18, sustained 4 per cent burns and was discharged after preliminary treatment.

The accused Devendra works with a private company, and the couple have three children. He is currently untraceable.

Sanjay Beniwal, Joint CP (eastern range), said: “A case under section 326-A (causing grievous hurt by throwing acid) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against Devendra at the Mandawali police station. Teams have been formed to trace him.”

A senior police officer said the incident took place around 8.30pm when Devendra returned home drunk and got involved in a heated argument with Bimla reportedly over his drinking habit.

“The couple had a similar argument in the evening after which Devendra went out. He returned home around 8.15 pm. When Bimla found him drunk again, she began scolding him. This angered Devendra and in a fit of rage, he threw acid on her,” said a senior police officer.

Hearing Bimla scream, Rani came to her rescue. “But Devender did not stop and emptied the acid bottle on the duo and then fled,” the officer added.