Alleged stalker Jitendra Sakhpal.
An 18-year-old girl in Mumbai was pushed into the sea after being forced to drink acid allegedly by her stalker. The incident took place on Saturday evening at the Gorai Beach in the western suburbs of Mumbai.
The girl, a college student, is battling for her life in a hospital while the accused, Jitendra Sakhpal, has been arrested by the police. A case has been registered against 20-year-old Jitendra on charges including attempt to murder.
The family of the girl, a resident of Dahisar, has alleged that they had filed a complaint against Jitendra earlier, and the police had warned him.
"He was quiet for two months after we complained. But he suddenly attacked her today," a cousin of the girl said.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahesh Patil, the girl claimed that the boy forced her to drink acid. "She screamed and an autowallah heard it. He called for help and together they all caught the man. The boy says that she drank acid herself. We are investigating the matter," he added.
Samples have been sent for forensic tests to determine if the girl was forced to consume acid, police said.
The incident comes just months after nursing student Preeti Rathi was attacked at the busy Bandra Terminus, once again raising questions about the safety and security of women in India's financial capital.