Delhi Student's Alleged Acid Attack Revealed as Fabrication: Father Confesses to Revenge Plot

The student had falsely claimed she was attacked with acid by three men.

New Delhi:

An acid attack that wasn't.

A 20-year-old woman alleged yesterday that she sustained burn injuries while attempting to shield her face during a supposed acid attack by a man who had been stalking her, along with his two accomplices. She claimed this occurred while she was en route to an extra class in the national capital. This accusation triggered widespread outrage.

However, within 24 hours, the narrative has completely reversed. The woman's father, Aqeel Khan, who had disappeared, has now been apprehended by Delhi Police. Khan has admitted to fabricating the acid attack story to implicate three men. His daughter lied at his behest, as he sought revenge regarding a harassment complaint filed by the wife of one of the accused.

Khan disclosed that the burns on his daughter's hands were caused by toilet cleaner, not acid. He explained that his daughter had brought the toilet cleaner from home and deliberately poured it on her hands.

The Delhi Police is preparing to take legal action under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against both the woman and her father for concocting this false narrative.

The Woman's Claim

The second-year BCom student enrolled in Delhi University's Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board had claimed she was attacked with acid by Jitendra, an acquaintance, and his two friends, Ishan and Arman (brothers), near Laxmi Bai College on Sunday morning. According to her account, Jitendra was operating a motorcycle while Ishaan passed a bottle to Armaan, who then hurled an acid-like substance at her. The student claimed she attempted to protect her face but suffered burns on both hands.

She further alleged that Jitendra had been stalking her for some time, and they had a confrontation approximately one month ago.

Investigation Poked Holes In Her Story

The police investigation, however, revealed numerous inconsistencies in the woman's account. Evidence showed that Jitendra was in Karol Bagh when the incident supposedly occurred. His mobile location, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies confirmed this alibi. The motorcycle mentioned by the woman was also discovered parked in Karol Bagh. Additionally, investigators found no acid traces on the wall near the alleged crime scene.

CCTV footage also showed the woman and her brother departing from their home on his scooter, but he did not drop her at the main entrance of her college—instead leaving her 200 meters away in the Ashok Vihar area.

A PCR Call By Accused's Wife

Two days before the alleged attack, Jitendra's wife had made a PCR call, reporting that she was being blackmailed and harassed by Aqeel Khan. She alleged that between 2021 and 2024, while employed at Khan's factory, he sexually assaulted her and subsequently blackmailed her with inappropriate photographs and videos. Khan has now been arrested in connection with that case.

A competing harassment narrative has emerged from the mother of the other two accused, Arman and Ishan. The brothers are currently in Agra with their mother, Shabnam.

Shabnam claimed that she was also attacked with acid in 2018 by Khan's relatives. There is an ongoing property dispute between Shabnam and Khan concerning a property in Mangolpuri. This matter is currently before the courts.