Heinous act: Police arrest scorned suitor for acid attack

Victim refused a marriage proposal from the suspect, enraging him

KARACHI: Police arrested on Thursday a man who allegedly threw acid at a girl for refusing his marriage proposal.

Sana, 24, suffered serious burns when Usman threw acid on her face on Wednesday night at her residence in North Karachi, according to the Sir Syed police. The suspect fled after committing the offence, while the girl was rushed to Civil hospital where she is being treated at the burns ward, police added.

Sir Syed SHO inspector Iftikhar told The Express Tribune that the victim had lodged a complaint against the suspect some time back for threatening her due to the refusal.

Iftikhar explained that Sana lived in a house in Khwaja Ajmer Nagri area with her family, which is where the suspect sent a proposal for marriage to her through his family but she declined.

Afterwards, an infuriated Usman reached the girl's house and created a fuss over the refusal, said the SHO, adding that the suspect also threatened the victim and her family with dire consequences.

The girl lodged a complaint with the police who arrested Usman and sent him to jail, the officer said, meanwhile the family moved to another place in North Karachi's Sector 11-A.

After being released on bail, the suspect searched for the family and, after discovering their new address, reached the location, said Iftikhar. "He looked for a moment when he could find the girl alone and then threw acid on her face," he said.

The girl suffered burn wounds on her face, neck and arms, the officer said, adding that she was being treated and her condition is reportedly stable.

Later, the Sindh chief minister's coordinator for human rights, Nadia Gabol, took notice of the incident and sought a report from the police. In a statement, Gabol directed the human rights department administrator to ensure that the girl receives all possible medical assistance.

"It is a shameful incident. The culprit should be given an exemplary punishment," the statement quoted her as saying.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2016.