A 20-year-old Delhi University (DU) student was attacked with acid on Sunday morning in Ashok Vihar, North-West Delhi. The victim, a second-year student, was on her way to attend an extra class near Laxmibai College when the horrifying incident occurred. The assailant is alleged to be her stalker, Jitender, accompanied by two of his associates, Ishan and Arman. All three men are currently on the run, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.
According to the police, the victim was intercepted by the accused on a motorcycle. Ishan allegedly handed a bottle of acid to Arman, who then threw it at the student. In an attempt to protect herself, the woman raised her hands to shield her face, resulting in burn injuries on both her hands. She was rushed to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital and later shifted to RML Hospital for specialized care. Fortunately, she is now out of danger.
The victim's statement reveals that Jitender had been stalking her for several months, and the harassment had intensified after a heated argument a month ago. The victim told Times of India that she usually takes a rickshaw from home and walks the rest of the way to college. On the day of the attack, she didn't notice anyone following her until the three men on a bike attacked her and sped away. In an attempt to shield her face, the acid splashed onto her hands and bag, leaving her with severe burns.
The victim recounted the harrowing experience of seeking help after the attack. Despite her intense pain, she tried to use her phone, but it was damaged by the acid. She screamed for help and managed to reach the main road, but no one stopped until an elderly man on a scooter came to her aid.
The victim's brother alleged that the family had previously approached the police regarding the stalking, but the beat staff asked them to compromise. He also stated that Jitender is married and has two young children. The victim had complained to Jitender's wife about the harassment, but instead of helping, she allegedly shamed the college student.
DUSU President Aryan Maan met with the victim and called for strict action against the accused. He stated that the victim had been subject to stalking and harassment for a year and a half, despite her asking Jitender to stay away.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to acid attack. CCTV footage from the area is being examined to track the suspects. Forensic teams have also been deployed to the scene to collect evidence.
This attack has sparked outrage across Delhi University and beyond, with student groups and civil society demanding stricter anti-acid attack measures. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) DU criticized the previous Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) leadership, accusing it of focusing on "theatrics and partisan politics" instead of working for security and gender justice on campus. They demanded immediate and stringent action against those involved in the attack and accountability from the authorities responsible for the safety of students.
