A 20-year-old Delhi University student allegedly 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 reportedly 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 allegedly intercepted her on a busy Ashok Vihar street. The main accused, Jitender, known to the victim and reportedly married with a child, conspired with his friends and allegedly attacked the woman with acid.
The survivor told media that 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.
