UP: Two arrested in connection with Maharajganj acid attack case

financialexpress.com:

Two people were arrested following an encounter with the police in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj in connection with the alleged acid attack on a woman, who was going to get married soon. police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred in Dharauli village on Thursday night when the 23-year-old woman and her mother were returning home from a market. The attackers came on a scooter, threw acid on her, and fled the scene, said Additional Superintendent of Police Atish Kumar Singh.

He said that the main accused Anil Verma got shot during the encounter, and the other person, Ram Bachan, was also injured while trying to escape.

Verma had planned the attack about 4-5 days before it happened. The victim and Verma knew each other for some time, and the attack was triggered by the woman’s engagement to another man three months ago, which Verma took as a personal insult, the ASP said.

The woman, who was going to be married on December 11, has suffered five to seven per cent burn injuries on her face and is currently receiving treatment at Gorakhpur’s BRD Medical College.

Maharajganj Superintendent of Police Kaustubh mentioned that 10 police teams were working to catch the culprits. The forensic team is investigating the matter, and the police have gathered necessary information from the woman’s family.

The woman’s condition is improving, and her family does not want any action, the SP said, adding that police will inititate action on its own and take strict action against the perpetrators.