In the second such incident of an acid attack in less than a week in Chennai, 40-year-old Riziya sustained burns on her face and legs after being attacked at her house late on Tuesday night.
The Times of India reported that Ramesh, a 48-year-old security guard, entered Riziya’s house in Kanathur and flung cleaning acid, following which her neighbours rushed her to a nearby hospital.
Riziya was separated from her husband three years ago and worked at a nearby textile shop and was living with her son, while the accused worked as a guard near the store and used to harass her regularly, the police said.
A police officer told ToI that the victim had lodged a complaint against Ramesh two years ago alleging harassment. He had then been let off with a warning.
The report adds that Riziya’s burns were fortunately not major, as the cleaning acid had been diluted. She was discharged after treatment, and the Kanathur police have registered a case against Ramesh under Section 326 B (punishment for attempted acid throwing) of the IPC and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Women Harassment (prevention) Act.
The incident comes barely two days after a lab-assistant in the city sustained 46% burns after her employer flung a flammable liquid on her and set her ablaze.
Raja, the proprietor of Sri Balaji Diagnostics in Madipakkam, was arrested by the Madipakkam police and charged with attempt to murder. He told police officials that he was annoyed with Yamuna as she was lax at work.
Earlier this month, a 14-year-old was doused with kerosene and set on fire by a stalker, reportedly for rejected his marriage proposal.