Mother of two raped, attacked with acid in Cachar; Accused remain at large

A woman allegedly gets brutally raped in front of her children, and even a week after the incident, the accused remains at large and threatens the victim’s family while she struggles for life. Cachar Police failed to apprehend the accused.

In a horrific incident, a mother of two was allegedly raped and attacked with acid in her own home at Bhaga-Rajghat village under Dholai police station in Cachar district. The attack, which occurred on the night of January 22, left the victim with severe burns over 70% of her body. She is currently battling for her life at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

The accused, identified as Badarul Islam alias Putul, allegedly broke into the victim’s house while her husband was away. Reports state that he tied her hands and feet and raped her in front of her children before pouring an acid-like chemical on her. After committing the crime, he called the victim’s husband, instructing him to rush home if he wanted to save her. Upon arrival, the husband was informed of the brutal assault by their six-year-old son.

Family members rushed the critically injured woman to Dholai Primary Health Centre, where doctors advised them to take her to SMCH as they lacked the facilities to treat her. An FIR was lodged at Dholai police station on January 23, but no action has been taken against the accused so far.

The victim’s husband said, “He (the accused) first came to my home and asked my wife’s number, but when she refused and asked him what the purpose was, there was a heated exchange of words. He then replied that he would teach her a lesson for this. The next night (January 22), I received a call from an unknown number, it was Putul. He asked me to rush home if I wanted to save her. When I reached home I found her hands and legs tied, her clothes were torn and her body was burnt using chemicals”.

A local resident alleged that the accused has a history of preying on married women when they are alone.

Nearly a week after the crime, the accused remains at large and has allegedly continued to threaten the victim’s family. The victim’s husband has appealed to the Chief Minister for intervention, urging authorities to ensure the perpetrator’s arrest.

Barak Bulletin tried to reach Dholai OC, but the OC said he hadn’t even heard about the case. When informed about the incident, Jonpan Bey said, “I have not heard of this. The I/O (investigating officer) might know. I don’t know if he was arrested. I forgot.”