Bangalore, Aug 11, 2013: While a girl, who suffered burns after her husband allegedly threw acid on her due to marital dispute, is recuperating at the burns ward of Victoria Hospital, her family is planning to withdraw the case against him and settle the matter out of court.
Anand, the victim’s father told Deccan Herald that the two families had arrived at a compromise and the couple were willing to re-unite. He termed the attack ‘a minor incident in any marital life.’ The couple has realised their mistake and hope that they would lead a happy life henceforth, he added. But, all attempts to speak to the victim Rachana (name changed), failed as she is still in hospital.
Based on her statement to the police and tahsildar, the Chamarajpet police have registered an attempt to murder case against her husband Pradeep and arrested him.
He is presently in judicial custody at Bangalore Central Prisons at Parappana Agrahara. H S Revanna, DCP (South) told Deccan Herald that the charge sheet will be filed shortly and there was no way of withdrawing the case. A senior officer who investigated the case said the family was reluctant to co-operate with the cops from the beginning.
He said the police registered a case after they were alerted by Victoria Hospital authorities. The family did not report the matter to the police. The victim’s medical expenses are being borne by her in-laws.
Case history
The acid attack came to light only recently though it happened on the night of June 26. Rachana, a school dropout and a resident of T Dasarahalli, fell in love with Pradeep, a gym instructor in Vijaynagar after they became friends through Facebook. Amid parental opposition, they got married on August 12, 2012.
However, differences cropped up soon between them as Pradeep started suspecting Rachana’s fidelity. Family sources said that Rachana returned to her parent’s home. But, on June 26 evening, Pradeep came to their house and spoke of a patch-up. He said that he had setup a new house and promised to look after her well. An unsuspecting Rachana accompanied him.
In her statement to the police, Rachana said that on June 26 Pradeep took her around the City saying that the landlord of their new house was not at home.
He told her that they would visit one of his friends and then go home. He drove his car on the Mysore Road flyover. Around 10.30 pm, on the deserted stretch, Pradeep claimed that the car had broken down. He got down to ‘fix it’ and asked her to hold the mobile phone torch for him. But, he suddenly took out a bottle and threw some liquid on her face, causing her severe pain and burning sensation.
He abandoned her on the flyover and fled in his car. A cab driver took Rachana with him and admitted her in a private nursing home, from where she was shifted to Victoria Hospital.
Suicide bid
It took almost a month for the Chamarajpet police to trace him. Tracking the mobile phone call details of his family, they traced him to a de-addiction camp in Mangalore and arrested him on July 23.
Police sources said that enroute to Bangalore, Pradeep attempted suicide by slashing his wrists. He was provided medical aid and produced before a local court. But, he tried to give a slip to the police at the court complex.
A senior official said that during interrogation, Pradeep confessed to the crime and said that he was depressed over his wife’s behaviour. He reportedly claimed that he had planned to commit suicide after throwing acid on her face. However, he lacked courage to end his life and fled the City, the official added.
