Acid attack accused’s kin detained for not cooperating with police

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The police probing the recent acid attack on a 23-year-old woman have detained the parents and brother of the accused, identified as Nagesh, who continues to evade arrest. “While the accused is still on the run, his family has not cooperated with the investigation,” a police officer from Kamakshipalya police station said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had called up his brother Ramesh Babu after carrying out the acid attack. Later, the family locked their house and fled.

The shocking incident took place on Thursday when Nagesh threw acid on the woman and fled. The incident happened near the premises of a finance company at Sunkadakatte area of West Bengaluru, where the woman worked. Nagesh was reportedly stalking the victim ever since she rejected his proposal.

The victim is currently undergoing treatment at the St John’s Hospital.

The Karnataka government announced on Saturday that it would take the entire responsibility of the rehabilitation of a victim of acid attack.

Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar visited the hospital on Saturday and said that the entire cost of treatment will be borne by the state government, “including the expense of skin transplantation”.

The minister also provided Rs 5 lakh compensation personally. “The government will ensure that the accused gets the maximum sentence after an expeditious trial in a fast-track court. The message has to reach the anti-social elements. The victim has suffered 35 per cent burn injuries and is in the ICU,” he said.

AAP protest
Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) women’s wing held a protest on Sunday in front of Kamakshipalya Police Station demanding the arrest and death penalty for Nagesh.

AAP Women’s Wing president G.S. Kushalaswamy said that there is an alarming increase in the rate of serious crimes across the state. “We are in a state where people have no fear of the law, because we have a Home Minister who is not qualified for the post. Acid attacker Nagesh must be arrested soon and sentenced to death. There should be a strict action against the Muthoot Finance’s owner who failed to protect the employee. The government has to issue a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the victims without delay,” she said.

“The Home Minister has completely failed to take control of the Police Department. It is a shame that the police could not arrest the accused even three days after the incident. This is due to the negligence of the Home Minister. The government should take necessary precautions to protect the working women. Women have been under threat and there have been many cases of attacks on women. The government must work on a new initiative or a programme to provide safety for women,” she insisted.