BANGALORE: A 33-year-old cab driver was arrested for allegedly throwing acid on his wife near their house at Varthur on Saturday evening.
Firoz Khan was arrested after he attacked his wife Ulfath Banu (26) with toilet cleaner.
She sustained 20 per cent burn injuries on her neck and chest.
The police said Khan, a native of Tamil Nadu, had married Banu, a resident of Varthur, 12 years ago. They have two daughters and have been residing at Banu’s uncle Abdul Khadar’s house on Varthur Main Road for the last few years, police said.
Khan was earlier working in a garment factory at Whitefield and had gone to Dubai four years ago.
He often would come to meet his family when he was in Dubai but since the last three months, Khan stayed at Varthur and was at loggerheads with Banu over her ‘infidelity’.
On Saturday, he picked up a quarrel with Banu at his house around 4.30 pm and told her that he would shift to his native Vanambadi in Tamil Nadu and asked her to accompany him. He also told her that his mother was sick and they had to leave the city immediately. Banu refused and went to her uncle’s grocery shop on the main road.
A furious Khan went there and poured acid on her after pulling her out of the shop.
Locals, who noticed it, rushed her to a nearby hospital and she was then shifted to Victoria Hospital, the police stated.
It is said that Khan had planned the attack well in advance and he had purchased the toilet acid a few days ago and kept it in his bag.
Varthur police said that the acid has been sent for tests and interrogation is on.
Umashree Visits Victim
Meanwhile, Minister for Women and Child Welfare Umashree paid a visit to the burns ward at Victoria Hospital where Banu is being treated for her burn injuries.
Umashree discussed about her treatment from the hospital authorities.
The doctors confirmed that the victim had suffered 20 per cent burns and make a recovery.
She announced `1 lakh as compensation for the victim and consoled the family members as well.
“Atrocities against women need to be condemned. I will ensure stringent action is taken against the culprits. I will also instruct the State Commission for Women to take up the issue seriously,” Umashree said.
She added that the State government will bear costs of Banu’s treatment.