A 24-year-old woman suffered serious burn injuries to her face and other parts of her body after a 41-year-old man allegedly threw a corrosive liquid at her near Ghonda Chowk in northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura on the morning of October 6. Police said the woman was on her way to work in Jafrabad when the alleged attack took place at around 7.10am.
The accused, who allegedly knew the woman for around six months and had been pursuing her, fled the spot but was arrested later the same day, according to police. The woman was initially taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital and later shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where she remains under treatment. Police said she is out of danger but is currently unfit to give her statement.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Rahul Alwal said the woman had been travelling from her rented accommodation in Ghonda towards her workplace when the accused allegedly approached her and threw a diluted corrosive liquid before fleeing. A case has been registered under Section 124(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt through the use of acid or similar substances.
A Targeted Attack
According to the police, the woman and the accused had known each other for around six months. Investigators allege that the man had been repeatedly contacting her and became angry after she began avoiding him and stopped responding to his calls and messages. Police further said that the alleged stalker’s anger intensified after he reportedly saw the woman travelling on a motorcycle with another man a few days before the incident.
“The alleged stalker’s anger was triggered a few days ago when he saw her riding a motorcycle with another man,” a senior police officer said, according to Hindustan Times. The accused reportedly works as a painter at a bus workshop, and police allege that he obtained sulphuric acid from a bus battery, carried it in a bottle and used it during the attack. These details are part of the ongoing investigation and will have to be established through evidence and legal proceedings.
The woman, meanwhile, was left with serious injuries and was taken for emergency medical treatment shortly after the attack. Police said a PCR vehicle transported her to JPC Hospital before she was shifted to GTB Hospital. Her current condition has been described as stable and out of danger, although doctors have not yet considered her fit to record a statement.
Investigation Underway
Police received information about the incident at approximately 7.10am on Tuesday and immediately initiated action. By the time officers reached the location, the injured woman had already been taken to hospital. Investigators subsequently identified the alleged attacker and arrested him in northeast Delhi later that day. Police have registered the case at Bhajanpura police station under Section 124(1) of the BNS.
Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from the area and trying to establish the precise sequence of events, including how and when the corrosive substance was obtained and whether the attack was planned in advance. Police said the accused and the woman had previously lived in the same building, adding another layer to the investigation into their interactions before the incident. The accused’s identity has not been publicly disclosed by police to protect the identity of the victim.
While police have described the man as someone who had allegedly been pursuing the woman, authorities are yet to record the victim’s account because of her medical condition. The investigation will therefore be crucial in establishing the circumstances leading to the attack, the nature of their relationship and the alleged stalking preceding it.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
An attack involving a corrosive substance is not simply an act of violence in the moment; it can leave survivors facing prolonged physical, emotional and social consequences. What makes this case particularly concerning is the allegation that the violence followed months of unwanted pursuit and escalated after the woman stopped responding to the accused.
No person has the right to interpret rejection, silence or the decision to end contact as an invitation to control, threaten or harm another individual. At the same time, the investigation must remain evidence-based, protect the survivor’s privacy and ensure due process for the accused.
Preventing such violence also requires more than action after an attack: stalking and repeated unwanted contact must be taken seriously before they escalate, while communities need to foster respect for personal boundaries and the freedom to say no. Strong law enforcement, accessible support systems and greater awareness can help create safer public spaces where people are able to travel, work and live without fear. How can communities and authorities work together to recognise warning signs earlier and make safety a shared responsibility?
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