Srinagar: Three men were arrested in connection with yesterday’s acid attack on a woman in the Srinagar downtown, police said on Wednesday.
A 24-year-old woman suffered burn injuries after acid was thrown at her on Tuesday evening. She was rushed to SMHS Hospital where she is being treated.
Police officials said field investigations and technical analysis led the policemen to prime accused Sajid Altaf Rather, a resident of Dalgate here, who was arrested.
During questioning, the accused revealed that he had been stalking the woman after she rejected his engagement proposal, they said.
Sharing details, a police official said yesterday evening, Srinagar police received information regarding an acid attack on a 24-year-old girl in Hawal area falling under Police Station Nowhatta.
In this regard a case under FIR No. 08/2022 U/S 326-A of IPC was registered in Police Station Nowhatta and investigation was started immediately, the official said.
“As the case was of heinous nature, SSP Srinagar immediately formed a special investigation team (SIT) headed by SP North Raja Zuhaib with SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women Police Station as members.”
During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, he said, the name of one suspect came up which led to the apprehension of the main accused Sajid Altaf Rather, son of Mohammad Altaf Rather of Buchwara Dalgate. SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence, said the official.
“During the initial questioning, it came out that this accused was having interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her. The arrested accused had taken note of the timings of the girl long before this attack.
“The accused used to work in a medical shop and in the evening of February 01, 2022, he took break from work and went on a scooty towards the place where the girl used to work along with a co-accused namely Momin Nazir Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh of Mehjoornagar.”
The official said that the girl was followed by the accused on her way back home. “… and acid was thrown on her and afterwards the accused ran away and went back to his shop. This second accused was also arrested when more evidence in the case came up. The scooty used in the commission of this heinous crime was also seized by police,” said the official.
The accused, as per the official, had purchased the acid from one of his known persons — Mohammad Saleem, son of Abdul Gani of Padshaibagh, a motor mechanic who works near Durganag near Dalgate area.
“This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination,” said the official.
“Legal process was also initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employees had sold acidic material in violation of Supreme Court guidelines. This shop was sealed by the Executive Magistrate,” the official said, adding that all shopkeepers in Srinagar are strictly instructed to follow SC directions on sale of acid, failing which legal action will be initiated against them.
Meanwhile, demanding capital punishment for the accused, a group of youngsters including some students Wednesday held a protest against acid attack on a 24-year-old girl in the city here last evening.
Protesters demanded amendment in criminal laws so that the accused involved in the attack are sentenced to death after conviction. They also appealed to the government to issue an order directing a ban on sale and purchase of the acids in the market.
Carrying placards which read “Hang the culprit”, “Save my daughter”, “Women rights are human rights”, protesters including girls assembled at Jahangir Chowk area of the city and staged a protest demanding capital punishment for the accused.
“We want capital punishment for the accused as the act has damaged the soul and identity of the victim. We also demand necessary amendments in criminal laws so that the accused involved in any such act is sentenced to death after conviction,” said Sheikh Saba, a social activist.
She said Kashmir Valley has hardly witnessed acid attacks on females in the past; however, it may change in case the authorities fail to take steps in this direction.
“We express our heartfelt sympathies with the victim and her family and at the same time appeal to the government to impose complete ban on sale and purchase of acids in the markets,” she added.
