Main accused among three held in Srinagar acid attack case: J-K Police

SRINAGAR — Srinagar Police on Wednesday arrested three persons, including the main accused, in connection with an acid attack on a 24-year-old girl in Hawal area on Tuesday evening.

According to a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Srinagar Police received information regarding an acid attack on a 24-year-old girl during the evening of 01-02-2022 in Hawal area, falling under Police Station Nowhatta.

In this regard, a case under FIR No. 08/2022 U/S 326-A of IPC was registered in Police Station Nowhatta and investigation was started immediately.

As the case was of heinous nature, SSP Srinagar immediately formed a Special Investigation Team with SP North Raja Zuhaib (JKPS) as Chairman and SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women Police Station as members.

During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, the name of one suspect came up which led to the apprehension of the main accused namely Sajid Altaf Rather son of Mohd Altaf Rather, resident of Buchwara Dalgate. SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence.

During the initial questioning, it came out that this accused was having an interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her. The arrested accused had taken note of the timings of the girl long before this attack.

The accused used to work in a medical shop and in the evening of 01-02-2022, he took a break from work and went on a Scooty towards the place where the girl used to work along with a co-accused namely Momin Nazir Sheikh son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Mehjoornagar.

On the victim’s way back home in the late evening, she was followed and acid was thrown on her and afterwards, the accused ran away and went back to his shop. This second accused was also arrested when more evidence in the case came up. The Scooty used in the commission of this heinous crime was also seized by Police.

It further came out that the accused had purchased the acid from one of his known persons namely Mohd Saleem son of Abdul Ganie, resident of Padshaibagh, a motor mechanic who works at international motors near Durganath near Dal Gate area.

This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination. A legal process was also initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employees had sold acidic material in violation of Hon’ble SC guidelines. This shop was sealed by following due procedure by the Executive Magistrate.

All shopkeepers in Srinagar are strictly instructed to follow Hon’ble SC directions on the sale of acid, failing which legal action will be initiated against them. A special drive will be started in this regard shortly in coordination with the district administration.