55-year-old man held for acid attack on sister-in-law in Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 26: A 55-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attacking his sister-in-law and her daughter with acid used to make rubber sheets in Dakshina Kannada district, police said on Saturday.

The victim, a 35-year-old widow having three daughters, has been admitted to the government Wenlock hospital here with severe burns. Her daughter, who suffered minor injuries, is also hospitalised.

In her complaint, the woman said her late husband's elder brother came to her house on Thursday, abused her in foul language before opening an acid bottle and throwing it at her through the window. The woman suffered burn injuries on her face, neck and shoulders while her daughter, on her legs and hands.

The victim's husband had taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh from a co-operative bank. He died in 2018 after paying only two instalments and the woman could not repay it further.

The bank notices were coming in the elder sibling's address which infuriated him.

There was also long-pending land dispute between the two, sources said. Based on the woman's complaint, a case was registered on Friday and the man arrested soon after.

Kadaba sub-inspector police Rukma Naik visited Wenlock hospital to record the woman's statement, police added.