New Delhi: A 19-year-old woman from Delhi’s Vasant Kunj attempted suicide by drinking acid, allegedly after years of sexual exploitation and blackmail by a man who promised to marry her, police said Wednesday.
The accused, identified as 26-year-old Md Rehan, has been arrested under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital and is reportedly unfit to record a formal statement due to the severity of her injuries.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel, the matter came to light on June 18, when a medico-legal case (MLC) was reported from Spinal Injuries Hospital. The girl had allegedly consumed acid at her home. A bottle of acid was recovered from her residence during the initial probe.
Investigators said the victim was in a relationship with Rehan for nearly six to seven years. During this period, he allegedly sexually exploited her, forced her into two abortions, and used objectionable photos to blackmail her.
यह भी पढ़ें: Delhi: दिल्ली में 19 वर्षीय युवती ने एसिड पीकर की आत्महत्या की कोशिश, वर्षों से यौन शोषण का आरोप, आरोपी गिरफ्तार
A neighbour found her in distress around 4:45 PM and rushed her to the hospital. She was later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on June 20 due to the critical nature of her condition.
The girl’s mother subsequently lodged a complaint at the Vasant Kunj (South) police station, accusing Rehan of deceitfully engaging in a sexual relationship with her daughter. She also submitted the victim’s mobile phone, which reportedly contained voice recordings supporting the allegations.
Forensic examination of the device confirmed the presence of audio evidence, police said. Following the findings, a case was registered under Section 69 of the BNS (Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) and Section 6 of the POCSO Act (Aggravated penetrative sexual assault).
Rehan, a resident of Shankar Camp in Rangpuri Pahari, was taken into custody. Police said he studied up to Class 12 and previously worked as a loader at the Delhi airport but is currently unemployed. His father is a daily wage labourer.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Vasant Vihar has been notified, and a tehsildar has been appointed to take the victim’s statement once her condition stabilises. Further investigation is ongoing.
