Mumbai:
Three days after a 24-year-old Malwani-based caterer was held in connection with an acid attack on his former female tenant, his mother was arrested for her suspected role in the crime, police said today.
On Wednesday, the accused, Nasir Shaikh alias Pintu, was apprehended from Malwani area after an unidentified person threw acid on Nallasopara resident Aarti Thakur (22) outside Goregaon railway station, police said.
"Shaikh's mother Manju Anwar Ali Shaikh was also nabbed yesterday as we suspect that she and her son conspired and gave contract to the other person to attack Thakur," P M Karyakarte, senior inspector at Borivali railway police station, said, adding that two more are likely to be arrested.
Thakur, who works for a private firm in suburban Goregaon, was attacked as she was punching her coupon outside Goregaon railway station while speaking over phone.
The motive behind the attack is not yet clear as the accused are not co-operating and are denying their role in the crime, an official said.
"Thakur used to stay on rent in the house belonging to Shaikh in Malwani. Shaikh used to tell his sister to avoid talking to Thakur for some reason," said another police officer.
Aarti had been first attacked in November last year, when she was walking in Malwani. The second attack occurred in December. Both the times, she was attacked on her face with a small knife, but the perpetrators are yet to be identified.
The mother-son duo have been booked under section 307 (attempt to murder) and 120 (B)(punishment of criminal conspiracy).