Daijiworld Media Network- Kasargod

Kasargod, May 8: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a 44-year-old woman was grievously injured in an acid attack by a stalker inside her fancy store at East Eleri panchayat in Kasaragod on Wednesday. The accused, who had a history of harassment, later ended his life by suicide.

The victim, identified as Sindhu Mol, also known as Bindu, suffered severe burns on the left side of her face, eye, neck, and thighs. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College in Pariyaram, Kannur. Doctors have indicated that it will take several days to determine the full extent of the damage, especially to her eyesight.

The assailant, Ratheesh (34), infamously known as "Pachari Ratheesh" due to his previous job at a ration shop, had reportedly been stalking and threatening Sindhu Mol for months. "He had repeatedly warned her that he would throw acid on her. She had even approached the police earlier," said her sister, Uma Gangadharan.

Tragically, Ratheesh’s threats turned real on Wednesday when he confronted Sindhu Mol inside her store, questioned her about her complaints to the police, and then hurled acid at her. The incident occurred in full public view, leaving locals horrified.

Following the attack, a search operation was launched by police. Ratheesh was later found hanging from a tree in a nearby plot, confirmed Chittarikkal Station House Officer, Inspector Ranjith Raveendran.

Inspector Raveendran acknowledged that both the accused and the victim hailed from the same locality and were once “close friends”. However, after a fallout, Ratheesh began harassing her, prompting her to file a police complaint. While the inspector claimed the issue had been “settled”, Uma contested this, stating that Ratheesh had continued to intimidate her sister even last week, including ramming his bike into her scooter and issuing fresh threats on May 5.

“He asked her if she would go to the police again, and then threw acid on her,” said Uma. While police claim there was no recent formal complaint, locals confirmed that Ratheesh was openly issuing threats.

Ratheesh was employed as a daily wage labourer with a borewell firm. "He was physically strong, but perhaps couldn't bear rejection," said a neighbour who had known them since childhood.

Sindhu Mol, who is fighting for her life, is the mother of two daughters—one pursuing BSc Nursing and the other BBA. Her husband runs a tyre retreading business in Peringome, Kannur, about 12 km from their residence in Kamballur.

This is the second acid-related attack on a woman shopkeeper in Kasaragod within a month. On April 8, in Bedadka panchayat, a man named Ramamrutham (56) poured thinner on C Ramitha (30) after she complained about his abusive behaviour. Despite a police warning, he was released. Ramitha succumbed to her injuries a week later.

These recurring attacks have raised serious concerns over women's safety and the effectiveness of police intervention in stalking-related cases.