Annamalai Univ student attacked with acid allegedly for rejecting classmate’s advances

In another incident of violence against women for rejecting a man’s advances, a second-year Annamalai University student sustained severe burn injuries after her classmate hurled acid on her in their college campus in Cuddalore on Monday evening.

Suchitra, the victim, was returning to her hostel and was accosted near the Guest House by the accused at around 8.30 pm. She sustained severe burn injuries to her face and neck and is currently undergoing treatment at Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital in Chidambaram, according to TOI.

The accused has been identified as 21-year-old Muthamizhan and was allegedly trying to woo Suchitra for the past five years, according to The Hindu. Both Suchitra and Muthamizhan are second-year students of Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) at the University.

Reports state that when Suchitra began avoiding his advances, unable to take her rejection, Muthamizhan decided to resort to the extreme violent act.

After the incident, passers-by and other students in the vicinity immediately rushed to Suchitra’s rescue and Muthamizhan, who allegedly attempted to flee, was caught and thrashed. Having sustained injuries, Muthamizhan too was taken to the same hospital for treatment.

Further investigations are currently on. According to TNIE, a case has been registered against Muthamizhan.

Violence against women for rejecting unwanted advances made by men has been a commonly reported crime. In October last year, a 34-year-old woman in Salem was attacked with acid while she was about to take her children to school, on a two-wheeler. Gayatri, a resident of Guhai in Salem, was attacked by 40-year-old Sreenivasan, an acquaintance who was allegedly angry because she had stopped speaking to him.

In June this year, 27-year-old Surender attacked a woman in Chennai’s Chetpet MRTS station, on the platform, when she was on her way back from her workplace to her hostel. The two were reportedly talking when he suddenly attacked her, slashing her face and hand with a knife.