A 19-year-old girl was allegedly attacked with acid by her uncle, Mukesh, during her engagement ceremony in Bari village of Bhadohi district. Mukesh allegedly threw acid using a syringe through the room’s window, causing burns to her face and hand. The victim was rushed to hospital and the engagement ritual was later completed by the groom’s family. Mukesh allegedly fled but was intercepted by police near a railway track, where he fired at officers.
Police returned fire, injuring his leg, and arrested him, recovering a firearm. Investigations revealed Mukesh, despite being married with two children, was obsessed with his niece and had harassed her for months, even after villagers warned him.
Acid Attack Shocks Community in Bari Village
During the engagement ceremony, Mukesh, a distant uncle, approached the room where his niece was seated and allegedly sprayed acid through the window using a syringe. The girl screamed in pain as the acid burned her cheek and hand. Her family promptly took her to the hospital for treatment.
Despite the horrific attack, the groom’s family visited the victim’s home later that day to complete the engagement rituals, showing support amid the trauma.
Nighttime Police Encounter Ends with Arrest
Following the FIR lodged by the victim’s father, police began searching for Mukesh. Around midnight, officers found him on the railway tracks near Sahsepur. When police attempted to apprehend him, Mukesh fired shots at the team and tried to escape.
Police returned fire, injuring Mukesh in the leg, and arrested him at the spot. A firearm was seized from him. Mukesh was admitted to hospital under police custody, and his condition was reported stable. The police are continuing investigations into the attack and possible motives behind Mukesh’s obsession.
Background of Harassment and Community Response
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Mukesh had been obsessed with his niece for months, despite being married with two children. Villagers had caught him attempting to approach the girl three months earlier and had beaten him as a warning, but Mukesh continued to harass her.
His jealousy over her engagement prompted the acid attack during the ceremony, a public occasion meant for celebration. This attack not only underscores a grave violation within families but also calls attention to the need for stronger community vigilance and protection for vulnerable members.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This brutal acid attack is a tragic reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding women and girls from violence and harassment, especially within their own families. The Logical Indian underscores the necessity of empathy, dialogue, and zero tolerance for abuse regardless of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim. Communities must mobilise to create safe environments through awareness and timely intervention.
