The Principal District and Sessions Court, Chengalpattu, on Friday postponed the framing of charges against Vijaya Bhaskar of Maduvankaranai, for the fatal acid attack on Vidya (21) of Parameshwari Nagar in January. The date has been deferred due to boycott of court proceeding by advocates at Chengalpattu Court complex.
When the case came up before the Principal District and Sessions Judge, M. Mony on Friday, the Judge asked Vijaya Bhaskar whether he had engaged an advocate. In response, the accused claimed he had already engaged a lawyer practising at the Adambakkam court, where the charge sheet was filed, and he might be absent due to the court boycott. Subsequently, Judge Mony extended his judicial remand for another fortnight and posted the case for further hearing on September 13.
The court boycott is over a plan to shift the District and Sessions Court from Chengalpattu to Kancheepuram.
According to the prosecution, the accused, who had fallen in love with the victim, attacked Vidya with acid after she turned down his marriage proposal. On January 30, Vijaya Bhaskar attempted to pour acid on Vidya’s face at an internet browsing centre near NGO Colony, Adambakkam, where she was working.
The accused, who was working as a catering staff in an IT company at Sholinganallur, had hurled the bottle at her face, but she turned away. Vijaya Bhaskar then pushed her down and she fell on the floor where the acid had spilled, sustaining injuries on her face, hands, hips and legs. On hearing the commotion, passersby nabbed Vijaya Bhaskar, who had also sustained some injuries, and handed over him to the Adambakkam police.
Vidya was rushed to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries after a month.
The Adambakkam police, who had registered a case under section 307 of IPC initially, changed it to one under section 302 following Vidya’s death and filed a charge sheet at a court in Adambakkam under the new section. Subsequently, the case was committed to the District Sessions Court at Chengalpattu for framing of charges and trial.
