UP girl attacked with acid by family of man jailed on rape charge: Police

MEERUT : A 15-year-old girl sustained minor burns in an acid attack, allegedly by the family of a man she had accused of rape in 2019, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district on Sunday, police said.

Station house officer (SHO) of Babugarh police station Uttam Singh Rathore said the incident happened in a village in Hapur district during a clash between the families of the victim and the accused. “An FIR has been registered against five people in this connection,” said Rathore.

Additional superintendent of police Sarvesh Mishra said, “Around 6.30 am on Sunday, a clash between the two neighbouring families over dumping of garbage turned violent when one member of the other family allegedly threw acid at their neighbour’s daughter. The girl has sustained burns on her leg.”

“According to the villagers, a few years ago, the accused family had lodged a rape complaint against a relative of the victim, but the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence,” Mishra added.

“Last year, the victim’s family filed a rape complaint against the accused’s son. The son was arrested and is currently serving his jail term,” he said. A probe has been launched in connection with the acid attack case, he added.

A family member of the victim has alleged that the accused’s family had been pressuring them for a compromise. “They were also threatening to kill us in case we did not withdraw the rape charges. We refused to do so and hence were attacked. They all were equipped with lathis, rods and pistols. They even attacked our girl with acid, causing major injuries to her,” the person said.