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New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday revealed that the alleged acid attack on a 20-year-old college student was fabricated by her father to take revenge in a personal dispute. Investigations found that the “acid” used in the incident was actually toilet cleaner, and that the father, Akil Khan, had masterminded the story after being accused of rape by the wife of one of the men his daughter had blamed. How Was The ‘Attack’ Carried Out? On Sunday morning, the 20-year-old student, enrolled in Delhi University’s Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board, claimed that she had been attacked with acid by three men while on her way to attend an extra class. She named the trio as Jitender and his brothers, Ishan and Arman, all of whom turned out to be her relatives. According to her statement, the alleged attack took place after she got off an e-rickshaw, around 300 metres away from her college gate. “She allegedly put toilet cleaner on her hand after de-boarding the e-rickshaw and screamed for attention,” said a police officer. The liquid, police later confirmed, had been brought by the student in her bag from home. Soon after her complaint, police began to spot contradictions. CCTV footage from the alleged crime scene showed no attackers or suspicious movements. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team found no traces of acid, nor any discarded bottles at the spot. Adding to the inconsistencies, Jitender’s location was tracked to Karol Bagh, around five kilometres away from where the alleged incident took place. His motorcycle too was found parked in the same area. Detained for questioning, Jitender, who works as a painter, told investigators he had nothing to do with the incident. Police also noted that the student’s brother, who had dropped her near Ashok Vihar before she took the e-rickshaw, could not be contacted for questioning. What Was The Reason Behind the Revenge? The motive behind the false case came to light after police questioned Akil Khan, the student’s father. Investigations revealed that Jitender’s wife had earlier accused Khan of rape while she worked at his socks factory between 2021 and 2024. She alleged that Khan had sexually assaulted her and blackmailed her using private photos and videos. Police said she had made PCR calls on 24 and 25 October, but no written complaint was filed. When questioned, Khan confessed to fabricating the acid attack to get back at the family. He was arrested on Monday. A senior police officer said, “It appears that the father orchestrated the entire incident to frame Jitender and his family in retaliation to the rape accusation.” Past Feuds and Previous Cases Further digging revealed that the two families had a long-standing property dispute in Mangolpuri, outer Delhi. In 2018, Shabnam, Jitender’s mother, had also accused Akil Khan of rape, a case still pending in court. That same year, she alleged that Khan had thrown acid at her, leading to an FIR at the Mangolpuri Police Station. Currently, Ishan and Arman, both distant relatives of the student, are in Agra with their mother Shabnam and are expected to join the investigation soon. Investigators say the so-called acid attack was nothing more than a staged act. “She (the student) allegedly put toilet cleaner on her hand after de-boarding the e-rickshaw and screamed for attention,” a police officer said, confirming that the incident was staged for revenge. Delhi Police have arrested Akil Khan, while further questioning of the student and her relatives is underway. Authorities say the case is now being treated as one of criminal conspiracy and false reporting. (with inputs from PTI) Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Delhi and around the world.
