Mumbai:
Two men assaulted residents of a society in Malad after a minor argument and later returned to throw acid on a minor girl and her mother.
On February 8, Harun Bangdiwala and Taufel attempted to put up a signboard at a society in Malad and attacked society members for objecting. Both were arrested by the Malvani police later but released on bail.
The duo had, on an earlier occasion, attacked Raees Sheikh, a resident of the same society and fractured his hand in the process.
During the attack, Sheikh's wife Roshan and daughter Tabassum (15) attempted to protect Sheikh and sustained bruises. The duo had, on that occasion too, been arrested by the police, but released on bail.
On February 9, the duo returned with acid and kerosene but when they did not find Sheikh, they attacked Roshan and Tabassum.
Tabassum sustained severe burns on her face and neck, following which the two attackers were arrested and she was admitted in Bhagwati Hospital.
When MiD DAY spoke to Raees, he said, "We are not safe anymore. They can do strike again since they are out on bail. We have seen them in the area. My daughter has not yet recovered from the shock.
She has burn injuries on the right side of her hand and neck and is in severe pain." Sheikh added that the police filed an assault case against two of the attackers, but insists that there were actually three.
He also said that the charges should be for attempted murder and not just assault since they came with kerosene to burn them.
According to the police, the duo attacked Sheikh's family in an attempt to avenge being arrested after assaulting him earlier.
The girl was treated at Bhagwati Hospital, but later moved to a private nursing home for treatment. A Malvani police officer said, "We have filed an FIR and arrested the accused and later released them on bail.
We again arrested them a second time for assault, threatening and abuse."