New Delhi: The accused in throwing acid on a 17-year-old schoolgirl in Delhi had ordered acid from online shopping site Flipkart. The incident has proved how easy it is to buy acid online or from a shop despite the Supreme Court’s ban on the sale of acid.
The Delhi Commission for Women has sent notices to Flipkart and Amazon on “easy availability of acid”.
On Wednesday, the Southwest Delhi Police solved the case of acid attack on a 17-year-old girl by two bike-borne boys in Dwarka area and arrested three accused. All three accused are adults. The victim has been seriously injured in this incident. The girl is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
The girl’s father told the media after the attack that the condition of the daughter was critical and the acid had also gone into the daughter’s face and eyes. It was only after the incident that the victim identified the two suspects.
“My two daughters (one 17-year-old and the other 13- year-old) had gone out together this morning. Suddenly, two bike-borne men threw acid on my elder daughter and left. He had covered his face.”
Asked if his daughter had complained of harassment by anyone, the father replied: “No.” If he had, I would be with him everywhere. The sisters used to go to school together in the metro.
The acid attack on the student was planned by 20-year-old Sachin Arora. He had a dispute with the girl in September. Sachin and Harshit threw acid on the student, while Virendra took Sachin’s scooter and mobile phone to another place to mislead the police. All three were arrested within 12 hours.
Sachin had reportedly ordered acid online. Senior police officer Preet Hooda, citing technical evidence, said Sachin Arora bought it from Flipkart and made the payment using his e-wallet. The e-commerce portal has not yet given any statement.
The Supreme Court had banned the sale of acid in 2013 following a rise in acid attacks. The court had also imposed restrictions for those selling acid.
Only licensed shopkeepers can sell acid, they will have to register for it and keep a register of those who buy acid from them. Those who buy acid will also have to provide reasons and ID proof.