3 persons arrested in acid-attack case as protests rock Srinagar

People holding placards during protest against acid attack in Srinagar. -Excelsior/Shakeel
People holding placards during protest against acid attack in Srinagar. -Excelsior/Shakeel

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: Police today arrested 3 persons who are allegedly involved in the acid-throwing incident in Srinagar in which a girl from Eidgah was injured even as protests seeking stern punishment to the culprits continued throughout the day.

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As per police, on the evening of 01.02.2022, it received information regarding an acid attack on a 24-year-old girl in the 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,” police said.
Keeping in view the nature of the crime, police said that the SSP Srinagar immediately formed a special investigation team with SP North Raja Zuhaib as Chairman and SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women PS as members.
“During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, name of one suspect came up which led to the apprehension of the main accused namely Sajid Altaf Rather S/o Mohd Altaf Rather R/o Buchwara Dalgate. SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence,” police said.
As per police, 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 on 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 Nazir Ahmad Sheikh of Mehjoornagar,” police said.
As per police, 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,” police said.
Police said that it further came out that the accused had purchased the Acid from one of his knowns namely Mohd Saleem S/o Abdul Ganie resident of Padshai Bagh, a motor Mechanic who works at international motors near Durga Nath near Dal Gate area.
“This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination,” police said.
In this regard, a legal process has also been initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employees had sold acidic material in violation of SC guidelines.
“This shop was sealed by following due procedure by Executive Magistrate, they said,” police said.
Police have also instructed the shopkeepers to follow 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 District Administration,” police said.
Meanwhile, several protests were held today in Srinagar in which the protestors were demanding stern punishment to those involved. The protests were joined by activists and civil society members.
“We protesting against the incident that took place in Hawal; the incident not only is shocking but also is a blot on our society; we demand that the culprits should be to be hanged,” said Sehar, one of the protestors.