KOCHI: In a bizarre incident, an Idukki-native threw formic acid on the owner and employees of a mobile phone store in the city on Thursday, and brandished sword at them, allegedly angered by the delay in activating mobile phone connection.
Later, the police arrested the attacker, Sunny Thomas, 57, of Rajakkad, Idukki, and registered a case against him.
Zachariah Poulose, owner of Vodafone Mini Store at Kaloor here, was shifted to hospital after he suffered injury to his eyes in the acid attack.
“Sunny visited the store with a bottle of acid and sword around 3.30 pm, and brandished the sword at the employees, which they resisted using furniture at the store. Then, he threw acid on Zachariah,” said an employee.
When people gathered after hearing the noise, Sunny waved the sword at the crowd too, and tried to escape. However, he was caught and handed over to the policemen who arrived on being alerted by a merchant.
“He had visited the store on Wednesday asking whether the police could trace him by tracking his mobile phone. When we told him that we were not aware of that, he broke his SIM card in front of us and applied for a new SIM.
He came again at 2.30 pm on Thursday, complaining that his new SIM card was not activated yet. When we offered to look into the matter, the man turned furious and started abusing the saleswoman. However, he left the shop when I told him to do so. About one hour later, he returned with acid and attacked us,” said Zachariah.
According to circle-inspector Y Nizamuddin, the accused is mentally unstable. “He used formic acid, which is a mild acid used for preparing rubber sheet. We have registered a case under Section-326(a) of the IPC and certain Sections of the Arms Act,” said the CI.
It is learned that sunny, who has been working as security guard at shops, became mentally unstable after being cheated by someone a few years ago.