New Delhi, October 26, 2025 – In a chilling act of vengeance, a 20-year-old second-year student at Delhi University's Laxmi Bai College was targeted in a brutal acid attack by her stalker and two accomplices near the college in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar area on Sunday morning. The victim, a resident of Mukundpur, sustained severe burn injuries on her hands while desperately shielding her face, reigniting outrage over the persistent menace of stalking and gender-based violence in the capital.
The assault unfolded around 9:30 a.m. as the young woman, whose identity is being withheld for privacy, was walking alone toward the college campus for classes. Eyewitnesses reported seeing three men on a motorcycle pull up abruptly, with one of them—Ishan, allegedly the stalker's aide—handing a bottle of acid to another accomplice, Arman, who hurled the corrosive liquid at her. The attackers, believed to be acting on the behest of the primary suspect, identified as Jitender, fled the scene immediately after the dastardly act.
"I tried to cover my face, but the acid splashed on my hands. It burned like fire—I could hear them laughing as they sped away," the victim recounted from her hospital bed at a nearby trauma center, where she underwent emergency treatment for second-degree burns. Doctors at the facility described her condition as stable but warned of potential long-term scarring and psychological trauma, emphasizing the need for reconstructive surgery and counseling.
The incident traces back to a heated altercation a month ago between the victim and Jitender, a local man from the neighborhood who had been persistently harassing her despite repeated warnings and a prior police complaint filed under the POCSO Act for stalking. Sources in the Delhi Police revealed that the victim's family had approached the local station in September, but the accused evaded arrest, fueling fears of retaliation. "This was no random attack; it's a clear case of targeted harassment turning violent. We've formed three teams to track down the fugitives," stated Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Ravi Kumar in a press briefing.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under Sections 326A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by acid) and 326B (attempt to cause grievous hurt by acid) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. Police have released sketches of the suspects based on the victim's description and CCTV footage from nearby shops, appealing to the public for tips via a dedicated helpline. "Jitender, Ishan, and Arman are known petty criminals in the area; we expect arrests within 24 hours," the DCP added, announcing a ₹50,000 reward for credible leads.
The attack has drawn swift condemnation from women's rights groups and political figures. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal visited the victim and slammed the police for alleged inaction on the earlier complaint. "How many more lives must be scarred before we enforce zero tolerance? Stalking isn't a joke—it's a precursor to murder," Maliwal fumed, demanding fast-track courts and chemical castration for acid attackers. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, addressing a rally later in the day, vowed to bolster the One-Stop Centres for acid attack survivors and push for stricter acid sale regulations under the Delhi Acid Control and Regulation Act.
This horrific episode adds to a grim tally: Delhi recorded over 50 acid attacks in 2024 alone, per National Crime Records Bureau data, with conviction rates hovering below 30% due to evidentiary hurdles and witness intimidation. Activists from the Chhanv Foundation, which aids survivors, highlighted the survivor's resilience, noting that immediate medical intervention has improved her prognosis. "She's a fighter— we'll stand by her through recovery and justice," said founder Alok Dixit.
As the city braces for Diwali festivities, this Mukundpur outrage serves as a stark reminder of the shadows lurking in everyday commutes for young women. For the unnamed student, whose dreams of a degree now hang in the balance, the hunt for her tormentors is more than a probe—it's a quest for reclaiming her life from the clutches of fear. Police urge anyone with information to contact 100 or the nearest station, underscoring that silence only emboldens such predators.
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