‘Honour’ assualt: Man smears chemical on pregnant daughter’s face

B Saikumar (21) of Veppampattu, an AC mechanic, developed a relationship with B Deepika a few years ago. Opposing the relationship, Deepika’s father Balakumar, a retired police constable, moved to Tiruttani with the family. Last year, Deepika left the family and married Saikumar. The couple settled down in Bengaluru.

After Deepika became pregnant, she recently returned to her in-laws’ house in Veppampattu and stayed with them. Meanwhile, Balakumar, who came to know that Deepika was staying at Veppampattu, reached their house on Friday night and asked her to come with him claiming that her mother was ill.

As Deepika refused to go with him, three men who accompanied Balakumar smeared a chemical on her face. The men also smeared the chemical on the faces of Deepika’s mother-in-law Bhagyalakshmi and co-sister Divya when they tried to rescue her. They then kidnapped Deepika in a car. However, they dropped her on Veppampattu main road and fled the spot.

On information, Sevvapet police rescued all three women and admitted them at Tiruvallur government hospital. The police said that the victims suffered minor burns as the chemical was not concentrated. Based on a complaint, a case has been registered and a hunt has been launched for Balakumar and his men. Further investigation is on.

When contacted, Tiruvallur Superintendent Aravindhan said that he was awaiting a report from forensic experts on the nature of the chemical powder used in the attack.