Delhi School Girl Critical After Bike-Borne Men Attack Her With Acid, 3 Arrested

The teenager had been walking on the road with her younger sister in the Mohan Garden area when she was attacked.

(Trigger warning: Descriptions of violence.)

A 17-year-old girl sustained critical injuries after two bike-borne men threw acid at her in Delhi's Dwarka on Wednesday, 14 December. Three men have been arrested over the incident.

The details: The school girl had been walking on the roadside with her younger sister when she was attacked. Footage from CCTV cameras shows a bike slowing down near the girl, after which one of the riders can be seen hurling a liquid at her. The incident took place at around 7:30 am.

What happened to her?: The teenager is presently admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital's burns ward, and is reportedly critical.

What has the police done?: The police was informed about the incident at 9 am. "After investigation, three people including 19-year-old Sachin, who is the main accused, were arrested," Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda said during a press conference in the evening. Two others – Harshit, who was also on the bike – and one Virender Singh have also been arrested, the police official said.

What has the investigation found?: "As per our information, Sachin and the girl were friends. They lived in the same locality. Around 2-3 months back, the girl ended the friendship and stopped talking to him. He then planned to do this," Special Commissioner of Police (L&O) Sagar Hooda said.

The acid used in the crime was ordered by Sachin on Flipkart. The police official added that Virender had tried to create a false alibi for Sachin. “He wore similar clothes, took Sachin’s phone and stood with a bike at another spot." A phone and a motorcycle connected with the crime have been recovered by the police.

Other action: The National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) have taken cognisance of the incident.

"Two goons throw acid at a school girl in broad daylight in the country's capital. Does anyone still fear the law? Why hasn't the sale of acid be banned, despite several notices? When will governments wake up?" asked DCW chief Swati Maliwal.