Chhattisgarh: Two Arrested in Brutal Balod Acid Attack Case
Balod police arrest two men for acid attack on a 22-year-old woman. The accused were paraded barefoot through the streets following their arrest.
In a swift response to a heinous crime, the Balod police have successfully solved an acid attack on a 22-year-old woman within just eight hours of the incident. The investigation led to the arrest of two men who allegedly conspired to attack the victim out of jealousy and rejection.
The Motive: Rejection and Jealousy
The accused, identified as Yash Sonkar and his accomplice Karan Kunjam, confessed to the crime during rigorous interrogation. According to the police, the motive was rooted in Sonkar's obsession with the victim. The accused stated that the victim had refused his marriage proposals and he suspected her of having multiple affairs.
The planning for the attack was meticulously laid out by the duo. Investigations revealed that Kunjam arrived from Bhairamgarh in the Bijapur district on September 26, and the two men purchased acid together on September 27. While they had initially planned to strike during the Ganesh Visarjan festival on September 29, heightened police security forced them to postpone the attack until October 5.
The Incident and Swift Arrests
The attack occurred on Monday afternoon around 12:30 PM near the Irrigation Colony. The victim was returning home from a library when the assailant threw acid at her and fled toward the Tandula forest area.
Police teams were immediately dispatched under the direction of the Superintendent of Police. While initial searches in the Tandula area did not yield results, the police quickly moved to interrogate potential suspects. The investigation eventually led to Yash Sonkar, who was found residing in Kundrupara. Following his confession, police intercepted Kunjam in Kondagaon, leading to the arrest of both individuals.
Public Outrage and Police Parade
The arrest sparked intense public fury in Balod. In a move to demonstrate accountability, the police paraded the two accused through the streets. The men, who had their heads shaved, were marched barefoot from the police station to the court.
The scene at Ghadi Chowk turned chaotic as an agitated crowd, including students, gathered to protest. The mob, demanding the death penalty for the perpetrators, assaulted the accused during the procession. Due to the high level of tension and the volatile atmosphere, the court premises were turned into a fortress to ensure the safety of the proceedings. Both accused are currently awaiting transfer to the district jail following the issuance of warrants.