An acid attack that wasn’t.
A 20-year-old woman claimed yesterday that she suffered burn injuries while trying to protect her face in an alleged acid attack by a man, who had been stalking her for days, and his two accomplices, while she was on her way to attend an extra class in the national capital. The incident sparked massive outrage. However, 24 hours later, the story has taken a 180-degree turn. The woman’s father, who was on the run, has now been caught by the Delhi Police for fabricating the acid story to frame the three men. Aqeel Khan has confessed that he plotted the whole conspiracy, said the Delhi Police.
In a huge admission, he said that his daughter was carrying a toilet cleaner from home, which she poured on her hands
The Delhi Police is set to take legal action under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the woman and her father for plotting the fake story.
The Woman’s Claim
The second-year BCom student enrolled in Delhi University’s Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board claimed she was attacked with acid by Jitendra – an acquaintance of hers – and two of his friends, Ishan and Arman – both brothers – near Laxmi Bai College on Sunday morning. She had said that Jitendra was driving a motorcycle, and pillion rider Ishaan passed a bottle to Armaan, who then threw an acid-like liquid at her. The student said she tried to shield her face but suffered burns to both her hands.
She also claimed that Jitendra had been stalking her for some time, and there was a fight between the two a month ago.
Investigation Reveals Loopholes
However, the police investigation revealed several discrepancies in the woman’s version. It was found during the probe that Jitendra was in Karol Bagh at the time of the incident. His mobile location, CCTV footage, and witness statements confirmed this. The bike the woman mentioned was also found parked in Karol Bagh.
CCTV footage has also revealed that the woman and her brother left their home on his scooter, but he didn’t drop her off at the main gate of her college, but 200 metres away in the Ashok Vihar area.
A PCR Call By Accused’s Wife
Two days before the alleged attack, Jitendra’s wife made a PCR call, saying she was being blackmailed and harassed by Aqeel Khan. She alleged that between 2021 to 2024 she worked at Khan’s factory, where he forced himself on her and then blackmailed her by making objectionable photos and videos. Khan has now been arrested in the case.
Another Acid Attack Accusation
Another competing narrative of harassment has come from the mother of the other two accused, Arman and Ishan. The brothers are currently in Agra with their mother, Shabnam.
Shabnam has claimed that she was also attacked with acid in 2018 by Khan’s relatives. There is also an ongoing dispute between Shabnam and Khal over a property in Mangolpuri. The matter is subjudice.
Khan has now confessed to having hatched the acid attack conspiracy to implicate the three men in a false case.