A 22-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday for allegedly throwing acid on her ex-boyfriend during his wedding in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district. The shocking incident took place on April 19, 2023, in Chhote Amabal village.
The groom, Damrudhar Baghel (25), was marrying a 19-year-old woman when the acid attack occurred. As a result, the groom, the bride, and ten wedding attendees sustained minor burns.
Police launched an investigation under section 326A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Initially, the attacker was unidentified. However, footage from CCTV cameras in the village, along with tips from informers and background checks on the bride and groom, helped police make progress in the case.
The attack happened in the late evening when there was a power outage, making it difficult for witnesses to identify the perpetrator. The investigation eventually led to the arrest of the groom’s ex-girlfriend. She had disguised herself as a man to hide her identity during the crime.
The accused confessed that she and Damrudhar Baghel had been in a long-term relationship. She claimed that Damrudhar cheated on her by marrying another woman. When she learned about the wedding, she planned the attack. She stole acid from a chili farm where she worked, as it is used to clean the drip irrigation system.
This tragic incident underscores the severe consequences of relationship disputes and the importance of addressing emotional grievances through legal means rather than resorting to violence.
