Acid attack victim Rangoli gives camera statement in Court

Dehra Dun, Nov 24 (UNI) Acid attack victim Rangoli Ranaut today denied that she had any relationship other than that of a senior student with her alleged attacker Avinash Sharma who, she said, deserved nothing less than death penalty for his crime.

Ms Ranaut, elder sister of Bollywood actress Kangana, had come to the Judicial Magistrate CBI court for giving her statement in camera. Approached by newspersons, she said, "I only know what agony I have gone through these days." With her head covered partially with a shawl and goggles covering her eyes, she said she had come despite doctor's advise as the treatment for acid burns was still continuing, only because her attacker was still roaming free after the Sessions Court granted him bail on November 13.

Ms Ranaut said Avinash had been pressing her for marriage and at times had intimidated her with dire consequences if she did not oblige him. When her marriage was fixed with someone else, he had arranged for the acid attack on October 5.

Asked about Avinash's claims of an intimate relationship with her, she said, "he is doing all this just to save his skin." She and her friend Vijaya Chublani were injured when one Prem Singh, threw concentrated hydrochloric acid allegedly at Sharma's behest.

Sharma was subsequently arrested from Chanidgarh and Singh from Joginder Nagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on October 28.

UNI XC LS DS1518