A 20-year-old Delhi University student was admitted to the hospital after an acid attack outside Lakshmibai College in Ashok Vihar on Sunday, police and hospital sources said, prompting an urgent manhunt for the accused and his two aides. The DU student acid attack, which the police say was carried out by a man who had been stalking the victim for months, has reopened painful questions about campus safety, bystander responsibility, and the persistent threat of gender-based violence in the capital.
The Whole DU Student Acid Attack
According to investigators and eyewitness accounts compiled by local media, the student was walking to class in the late morning when three men approached her near the college gate. Police say the main accused, identified in preliminary briefings as Jitender, allegedly threw an acidic substance at the woman and fled the scene with two companions. The victim suffered burns mainly to her hands after she attempted to shield herself. She was taken to a nearby hospital and is reported to be out of immediate danger and to be discharged from “RML hospital” today. A formal case has been registered, and multiple police teams are engaged in tracing the suspects.
The Police Response to the DU Student Acid Attack Incident
Delhi Police confirmed receipt of a call from the hospital after doctors admitted the woman with burn injuries and said they have launched an investigation. Sources in the investigating team told reporters that the accused had been stalking the victim for some months and that “CCTV footage” and witness statements are being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events. Officers have formed search teams and are checking likely escape routes and known associates of the main suspect. Authorities emphasised that the probe is at an early stage, the identities of the two aides have not been officially confirmed, and no arrests have been announced at the time of reporting.
The Survivor’s Account and Aftermath
Media interviews with the survivor’s family and neighbours describe a terrified but resilient young woman who tried to protect herself as the attack unfolded. Emergency-room doctors treated the immediate chemical burns; hospital statements indicate the injuries were serious but not life-threatening. Campus student groups and residents reported an outpouring of shock and anger on social media, along with calls for better protective measures around colleges and for swift police action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Broader context: Acid attacks and Stalking in India
Acid attacks remain one of the most vicious forms of gender-based violence in India. Over the last two decades, attention to the problem has led to stringent laws on sale and transport of corrosive substances, and judicial guidelines for rehabilitation and compensation for survivors. Yet, incidents continue to occur, often linked to stalking, rejection of advances, personal disputes or attempts to assert control. Legal experts and activists say effective prevention requires not only penal measures but also sustained public education, tighter enforcement of chemical sales rules, rapid medical response systems, and survivor-centred rehabilitation services.
Campus Safety: Students Demand Action
The attack has stirred fresh debate within the university community. Student groups and some faculty members have demanded a review of security protocols outside colleges and better coordination between college administrations and local police stations.
Suggestions floated include increased patrolling during class hours, improved lighting and CCTV coverage at known pinch points, rapid-response distress buttons for students, and public-awareness campaigns about intervening safely when bystanders witness an assault. Several student-run helplines and local NGOs have also offered immediate counselling and legal assistance to the survivor and her family.
What Investigators are Looking For
Police sources said the enquiry will focus on confirming the alleged stalker’s identity and the role of his accomplices, tracking movement before and after the incident via CCTV and mobile-location leads, and establishing how the corrosive substance was procured. Investigators will also be seeking any prior complaints or informal reports the survivor may have made about harassment, evidence that could shape both criminal charges and future protective measures. Authorities have urged anyone with relevant footage or eyewitness information to share it with the nearest police station.
Legal and Social Next Steps of the DU Student Acid Attack
If the allegations are borne out, the main accused could face charges under provisions that cover acid attacks, stalking, attempted grievous hurt and conspiracy; punishments for such crimes have been strengthened in recent years to reflect their severity. Beyond court outcomes, however, the incident spotlights the continuing need for systemic reforms: streamlined processes for registering stalking complaints, faster access to medical and psychological care for survivors, community training on safe intervention, and stricter controls over the sale of acids and corrosive liquids. Advocates say these measures, pursued alongside timely investigation and prosecution, are crucial to deter recurrences.
Conclusion
In the wake of this horrifying incident, the immediate focus must remain on ensuring the survivor’s full recovery and conducting a swift, transparent investigation. The attack has deeply shaken a university community long regarded as a hub of open dialogue and civic consciousness. It has simultaneously reignited calls for stronger safeguards within educational institutions that should embody security and equality, not fear. As law enforcement works to trace and prosecute those responsible, the larger public will be watching closely, not only for justice to be delivered, but for tangible reforms that ensure no student, especially no woman, faces such danger again.
