Mumbai: Girl forced to drink acid by ex-boyfriend, critical

 

Mumbai, 20 Oct 2013 (TOI): A 21-year-old youth was arrested on Saturday after he forced his former girlfriend to consume acid following a tiff at Gorai. The girl, an HSC student, was admitted to the ICCU of a Mira Road hospital and is critical.

 

The accused, Jitendra Sakpal, was earlier in a relationship with the girl who lived in his neighbourhood at Dahisar East and wanted to marry her. But her family opposed it as he was jobless. The girl called off the relationship a few months ago but they continued to remain friends.

 

"On Saturday, Sakpal met the girl outside her college in Gorai and asked her to accompany him for a stroll.

 

The duo took a boat and reached Gorai village," said senior inspector Deepak Bagwe. Sakpal suggested they rekindle their relationship, but the girl refused. He then took out the acid he was carrying, allegedly held the girl’s mouth and tried to pour it in. Some of it spilled on her face and she sustained 10-15% burns. Doctors are trying to assess how much of the liquid she swallowed.

 

"Sakpal seems to have planned it in advance as he was carrying the acid with him.

 

The girl raised an alarm while she was being forcing to drink the acid. Some auto drivers in the vicinity caught Sakpal and informed police," said DCP Mahesh Patil.

 

She was rushed to a hospital in Kandivli and then moved to Tunga Hospital in Mira Road. Police couldn’t record her statement as she is critical. Police are investigating where Sakpal bought the acid and will take action against the vendor.

 

Sakpal was arrested under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (A) which deals with acid attacks. He will be produced before a holiday court on Sunday.

 

"A few months ago, the girl’s father had approached the Dahisar police to lodge a complaint against Sakpal for pursuing his daughter. But police summoned the couple and asked them to submit in writing that they wouldn’t be seen together again," police said.