A 20-year-old Delhi University student suffered acid burns in Ashok Vihar, northwest Delhi, on Sunday morning when her alleged stalker, Jitender, and two associates attacked her near Lakshmibai College. The student, who shielded her face and suffered burns on her hands, is now out of danger after hospitalisation.
Police have launched manhunt for three accused, identified as Jitender, Ishan, and Arman. The attack, which follows months of alleged stalking and harassment, has triggered campus protests and demands for stricter anti-acid attack measures by students and society at large.
How the Attack Unfolded
On Sunday morning, as the student left for an extra class, three men on a motorbike intercepted her on a busy Ashok Vihar street. Eyewitnesses recount how the main accused, Jitender, known to the victim and reportedly married with a child, conspired with his friends, receiving an acid bottle from Ishan, which Arman then hurled at the student.
She managed to block most of the acid with her bag, sustaining non-life-threatening burns on both hands, and was quickly rushed by passersby to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital before being shifted to RML Hospital for specialised care.
Ongoing Police Investigation & Official Responses
Delhi Police confirmed that the student is an NCWEB (Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board) student and clarified the attack took place off campus. Investigating officers registered a case under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, and forensic teams were deployed at the scene.
The police, acting on the victim’s statement and CCTV evidence, have launched a swift manhunt. College authorities and officials, including Proctor Dr Manraj Gurjar, underlined that despite the presence of a PCR van nearby, such incidents highlight the persistent risks faced by women on public roads.
Reaction from Student Groups and Civil Society
The attack has evoked an outpouring of anger across Delhi University and beyond. The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) led demonstrations outside the college, demanding the strictest punishment for the accused and concrete reforms to curb acid sales.
DUSU president Aryan Maan stated the victim had faced over a year and a half of harassment and called for institutional accountability as well as immediate security upgrades for women students.
Groups like NSUI have denounced the incident and questioned the safety of women in the capital, while the student’s family revealed prior complaints of stalking had yielded little action.
Civil society and student activists are pressing for a national conversation on preventing acid attacks, a crime that, despite long-standing legal bans on acid sales, continues to imperil young women.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This shocking case yet again exposes systemic failings in addressing stalking, victim protection, and the ease of obtaining dangerous chemicals. While police arrests and student solidarity are welcome, meaningful deterrence will only come with robust legal enforcement and societal resolve to end gender-based violence.
News in Q&A
1. What happened, where, and when?
A 20-year-old second-year student was attacked with acid by three men near Lakshmibai College, Ashok Vihar, Delhi, on Sunday morning while she was heading to an extra class.
2. Who were the attackers, and what is their connection to the victim?
The main accused is Jitender, a resident of Mukundpur and known stalker of the victim. He was allegedly accompanied by friends Ishan and Arman. Jitender had allegedly been harassing and stalking the victim for over a year, with the harassment escalating after a recent argument.
3. How did the attack unfold?
According to the police and the student’s statement, Jitender and his associates arrived on a motorcycle, with Ishan handing the acid bottle to Arman, who then attacked her. The woman quickly shielded her face with her hands, sustaining burns but preventing facial injuries. The attackers fled the scene immediately afterward.
4. What action did authorities take, and what are officials saying?
Delhi Police responded swiftly, registering a case under acid attack sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, visiting the crime scene with forensic teams. Probe is on.
5. How have student groups and the public responded?
The incident has sparked large-scale outrage and protests led by DUSU, with students demanding a total ban on open acid sales, quick justice for the victim, and comprehensive reforms to ensure campus and street safety for women. NSUI and other organisations have echoed these demands, with many calling out persistent gaps in women’s protection in the capital.
