Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 1: In a shocking case of revenge-fuelled violence, a 17-year-old college-bound boy was left critically injured after being attacked with acid by the father of a girl who had died a month ago. The incident occurred on Monday morning around 7:45 am at a bus stop in Dhargalim, Pernem.
The accused, a 46-year-old resident of Dodamarg, Maharashtra, allegedly held the boy responsible for the death of his daughter, with whom the teen reportedly had a relationship. Acting on his suspicions, the man—identified as a gardener employed at an optical manufacturing unit in Karaswada, Mapusa—approached the boy on a two-wheeler carrying a bucket of acid and hurled it at him before fleeing the scene.
According to Pernem PI Sachin Lokare, the accused’s daughter had died at Goa Medical College (GMC) under unclear circumstances a month ago, and the death was recorded as unnatural in police records. Sources said the girl had visited the boy’s house on the day of her illness, and began vomiting after returning home. She was later shifted to GMC, where she succumbed.
On Monday, the victim’s father had just dropped him at the bus stop when the acid attack occurred. Hearing his son’s screams, a passerby rushed to help and quickly contacted the boy’s father, who was en route home. The teenager was initially taken to North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa, and later shifted to GMC, where his condition remains critical.
North Goa SP Rahul Gupta confirmed that the chemical believed to be used in the crime was procured from the company where the accused works. "He took the chemical from his workplace. The exact nature of the acid will be determined after forensic analysis,” Gupta said, adding that the two-wheeler used in the crime has been seized.
Police teams promptly traced and arrested the accused. Officials said that the motive stemmed from the family's belief that the boy had something to do with their daughter’s death.
The gruesome incident has sparked outrage in the region, with citizens demanding stricter regulations around chemical handling and swifter justice in cases involving acid attacks.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections, and further investigation is underway.