A 23-year-old woman suffered around 50 per cent burns after a couple allegedly poured boiling water on her and kept her locked inside a room for several days in Haryana’s Faridabad, with police arresting one of the accused while searching for the other.
The woman, identified as Preeti, is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi after being rescued from a house in Qureshipur village. She suffered severe burn injuries, including to her chest and hands, and was initially taken to BK Hospital in Faridabad before being referred to Delhi because of her condition.
Her family has alleged that the attack followed her refusal to accept a plan under which she was to be married to an elderly man in exchange for Rs 3 lakh. Police, however, have said the allegation about the proposed marriage and payment does not figure in the complaint currently before them and will be examined after her detailed statement is recorded.
Boiling water allegedly poured at 4 am
According to the account given to police, the attack took place at around 4 am on August 16. The woman alleged that Dharmendra and Lalita, a couple with whom she had been staying, poured boiling water on her.
Despite suffering serious burns, she was allegedly prevented from seeking medical attention. She claimed that the couple confined her inside a room and took away her mobile phone, leaving her without immediate access to help.
The woman remained there until relatives learnt about her condition. Her uncle Pankaj reached Qureshipur on August 18 but alleged that the door was not opened. He returned the following day with police personnel, following which she was rescued.
She was taken for treatment in Faridabad before doctors referred her to Safdarjung Hospital.
Woman had separated from husband
Preeti is originally from Tikka Tola in Shahapur, Bihar. According to her family, she had married Rohit, a resident of Qureshipur, around two years ago.
The couple subsequently developed marital differences and separated around two months ago. During this period, Preeti came into contact with neighbours Dharmendra and Lalita and began staying at their house.
Her family has alleged that the couple had initially assured her that they would look after her like a daughter and help arrange her future.
The woman later allegedly learnt of a plan to marry her to an older man in return for Rs 3 lakh. Her family claims that her opposition to the proposed arrangement led to disputes and eventually the attack.
Police cautious on Rs 3 lakh marriage allegation
Police have drawn a distinction between the allegations made publicly by the woman’s relatives and the information formally recorded so far.
Investigators said the claim that she was being forced to marry an elderly man in exchange for Rs 3 lakh was not mentioned in the complaint on the basis of which the initial case was registered.
Authorities are therefore treating that allegation as something that still needs to be verified rather than as an established motive for the attack.
A police team is expected to record the woman's detailed statement at the Delhi hospital. Investigators said further sections or allegations could be considered depending on what she tells them and what subsequent investigation establishes.
One accused arrested, another absconding
An FIR has been registered against Dharmendra and Lalita at Dhauj police station in connection with the alleged assault and confinement.
Police have arrested Lalita and are questioning her, while Dharmendra remains absconding. Efforts are underway to locate him.
Investigators are also examining why the severely injured woman allegedly remained confined without medical treatment for several days and the circumstances under which her phone was taken away.
The case now hinges significantly on Preeti’s formal statement. Police are expected to investigate separately the alleged boiling-water assault and confinement, as well as her family’s claim that the violence was linked to an attempt to arrange her marriage for money.