Woman hurt in acid attack after 'rejecting advances'

Accused father-in-law arrested from bus terminal while fleeing

KHANEWAL:

A man allegedly attempted to assault his daughter-in-law and, upon facing resistance, threw acid on her, leaving her critically injured.

According to police and family sources, the incident occurred in the 33-10-R area within the jurisdiction of Kacha Khoh Police Station, where the suspect, identified as Shaukat Hayat, had reportedly been harbouring ill intentions toward his daughter-in-law, Sara Bibi.

Narrating the ordeal from her hospital bed, Sara Bibi told Express News that her mother-in-law had taken her granddaughter to a nearby shop, leaving her alone at home when the accused attacked.

"He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me into a room. When I resisted, he threw acid on me and fled as I screamed for help," she said, adding that her father-in-law had previously behaved inappropriately toward her on several occasions.

Sara Bibi sustained severe burns on her neck and arms and was shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Khanewal in critical condition.

Police officials said SHO Adnan Khurshid of Kacha Khoh Police Station managed to arrest the suspect while he was attempting to flee the area by bus.

On the directives of District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Ismail Kharrak, DSP (Sadar) Khalid Joya visited the crime scene and initiated an inquiry.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) on the complaint of the victim's husband, Ahmed Hayat, and further investigation is underway.

Family members of the victim have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister and the DPO Khanewal to ensure strict punishment for the perpetrator and justice for Sara Bibi.