13-Year-Old Girl Severely Burned in Acid Attack While Cycling Home from School
A horrifying incident has shaken the rural community of Vadgaon Pan village in Sangamner taluka, Maharashtra, where a 13-year-old girl suffered severe facial burns after an unknown person threw acid at her on Tuesday. The Standard VI student was returning home from school around noon when the attack occurred, according to police officials.
Attack Details and Immediate Response
The young victim was bicycling home, a distance of approximately 3 to 4 kilometers from her educational institution. While navigating a kuccha road that winds through agricultural fields, an unidentified individual suddenly threw a corrosive substance directly at her face before fleeing the scene.
Sangamner Deputy Superintendent of Police Kunal Sonawane provided details of the assault, noting that the attack happened in a relatively isolated area. When the girl began screaming in agony, her parents and nearby residents rushed to her assistance and transported her to a hospital in Loni, Ahilyanagar, where she is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Following a formal complaint filed by the girl's mother, the Sangamner taluka police have registered a First Information Report under Sections 124 and 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These sections specifically address voluntarily causing grievous hurt through acid attacks and wrongful restraint.
Police authorities have established multiple investigative teams under Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge to thoroughly examine CCTV camera footage from the village and surrounding regions. The primary objective is to identify and apprehend the perpetrator responsible for this brutal assault.
Political Response and Support Measures
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare described the incident as "horrendous" and confirmed that the young victim sustained approximately 7% burn injuries. "Treatment is underway. I have spoken to the SP of Ahilyanagar, and the police are making every effort to trace the culprit by gathering information from people near her school," the NCP leader stated.
Sangamner MLA Amol Khatal revealed that he raised the matter in the state assembly on Tuesday, emphasizing that the girl comes from an economically disadvantaged family. "Minister Aditi Tatkare said financial aid would be provided to her family through the Nirbhaya Scheme and all her treatment costs would be borne by the government. We, at our level, will also be contributing funds towards the girl's family," Khatal assured.
Criticism and Broader Concerns
Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar characterized the attack as "very unfortunate and heart-wrenching" while criticizing the state government's handling of law and order. "This attack on a 13-year-old girl suggests criminals no longer fear the police. They are taking the law into their hands and wreaking havoc on society. Neither women nor young girls are safe in this state, and the government has failed to maintain law and order," he told reporters during a press interaction.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about women's safety in rural Maharashtra and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security measures, particularly for vulnerable populations traveling to and from educational institutions.
