Bareilly: A shocking acid attack in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district left four members of a family injured after a man allegedly targeted a married woman for refusing his repeated marriage demands, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the Shergarh area during the early hours of Saturday when the victims were asleep outside their home.
According to police officials, the accused is believed to have climbed onto the roof of the house before entering the premises and allegedly threw a corrosive substance at the family through a mosquito net covering their sleeping area.
The woman, her husband and their two children suffered burn injuries in the attack and were rushed for treatment soon after local authorities were informed.
Police said the matter came to light around 6 am when Shergarh police received information that multiple family members had sustained burns caused by a chemical substance.
During preliminary investigation, officers identified the accused as Umesh Kashyap. Investigators believe he had allegedly been pressuring the woman to marry him despite already being married himself.
Officials said the accused reportedly became enraged after the woman firmly rejected his proposal. It is suspected that he intended to target her specifically, but the substance also injured the other family members who were sleeping nearby.
The victims were initially admitted to the Shergarh Community Health Centre. One of the injured was later shifted to the district hospital after doctors advised advanced medical care.
A criminal case has been registered, and police teams have been deployed to locate and arrest the suspect, who remains absconding.
Senior officers said all possible angles are being examined, and efforts are underway to ensure strict action against the accused.
The incident has triggered outrage in the local area, with residents demanding swift justice and stronger action against crimes involving violence against women and families.
