Couple had fallen in love 15 years ago and married despite opposition from woman’s father; Unissa, 32, sustained 20% burns.
A man threw acid on his wife before fleeing, police said on Friday.
Thirtytwo-year-old Syed Rahat Unissa sustained 20% burns in the attack, and has been hospitalised. Doctors say she is out of danger.
Police said Unissa and her children had been staying separately from Abdul Vakeel, 41, her husband, for the past 40 days.
The couple has been seeking talaq. The man reportedly suspected his wife of infidelity, and also made demands for dowry. The couple fought frequently.
Incidentally, the two had met and married despite stiff opposition from the woman’s family, 13 years ago.
Police said Vakeel went to Unissa’s residence at Muneshwaranagar in Padmanabhanagar around 8 am and offered to drop the children off at school. About 30 minutes later, he returned and picked up a quarrel with his estranged wife, and threw acid on her. Unissa suffered burns on her face, neck and chest.
Police said the acid was so strong that it damaged the wall of the house. Unissa, however, poured water on herself and that saved her from more grievous burns.
Dr Syed Siddique received a call from his sister Unissa around 8.55 am, informing him of the incident. He rushed to his sister’s aid, and took her to a private hospital in Banashankari.
Unissa and Vakeel, both natives of Tiptur in Tumkur district fell in love 15 years ago, while Unissa was doing a course in Fashion Technology at Siddaganga Matha College. Despite opposition from Unissa’s father, the couple married in 1998.
Siddique said a kidnap case was lodged against Vakeel following the marriage, but it was dropped after Unissa told authorities that she married on her own wish.
A few years into the marriage, Vakeel started suspecting Unissa of infidelity. He forced her to quit her job with a private firm. “He also started harassing her for dowry,” alleged Siddique.
In 2001, the couple approached the Sabilul Irshad mosque for talaq, but decided to stay together after the community’s elders counselled them.
The couple again appealed for divorce 40 days ago. “The Sabilul Irshad had given them time till Friday to decide,” said Siddique.
The dispute aggravated after Unissa opened a boutique three months ago. “She had taken a loan for the business, but Vakeel suspected that she got money from a lover,” said Siddique.
Police said Vakeel, reportedly alcoholic, was a manager with MK Global Finance, a private firm.
Siddique, however, said that Vakeel had quit his job two months ago. “We came to know about it today. He had lied about his educational qualification, claiming he was an MTech,” he added.
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