A 32-year-old woman almost lost sight in her right eye after her sister-in-law allegedly threw cleaning acid on her on Monday. She is undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital in Egmore and her condition is said to be stable.
Speaking to reporters on the hospital premises on Saturday afternoon, the victim Pandichelvi said her sister-in-law Meena (28) threw acid on her face on Monday afternoon following an argument over a longstanding property dispute.
“I was arguing with my mother-in-law Ulagathal when Meena went to the toilet and brought acid in a cup. She threw it on my face. My right eye began to burn immediately,” the victim said.
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Pandichelvi added that Ulagathal, instead of offering help, grabbed a club and hit her on the head following which she ran out of the house and cried out for help. Neighbours rushed her to a private hospital and later on Monday evening, she was admitted to the government hospital in Egmore.
The victim’s husband Subramani, a daily wage labourer, was out at work when the incident occured. The couple and Ulagathal reside at Ponniammanmedu, VPC Nagar in Madhavaram.
Meena, a divorcee living in the adjacent house, often quarrelled with Pandichelvi over the partition of the couple’s house which is part of the family’s ancestral property. Ulagathal always supported her daughter.
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According to hospital sources, Pandichelvi told physicians that she accidentally poured the acid which injured her right eye.
After a thorough examination, doctors suspected foul play and asked her about the injury following which the victim narrated the incident. Hospital authorities alerted the Madhavaram police.
A case has been registered for attempt to murder against Meena and Ulagathal. While Meena was arrested, Ulagathal is still at large, police sources said.