A jeweller in Bihar’s Madhepura district allegedly threw acid on a 55-year-old woman and her daughter when they visited his shop on Thursday to collect jewellery they had paid for two years ago, ahead of a family wedding scheduled later this month. Both victims sustained burns and are currently undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital in Madhepura, where their condition is reported to be critical.
The accused jeweller, Vinod Swarnkar, owner of Sandhya Jewellers in Purani Bazar Ward Number 10 in Madhepura, fled the scene after the attack by pulling down the shop shutters. Police have since arrested his wife in connection with the incident, and a search is underway to trace Swarnkar himself.
A Two-Year Wait That Ended in Violence
According to the family’s complaint, Zuleikha Khatun had entrusted Vinod Swarnkar with making jewellery for her elder daughter’s wedding, which is scheduled for March 24. She had paid Rs 12,000 two years ago and an additional Rs 13,000 recently, bringing the total advance to Rs 25,000, with the understanding that the jewellery would be delivered at the prevailing rate when the wedding date was fixed.
As the wedding drew near and repeated requests went unheeded, Zuleikha visited the shop with her younger daughter, Asma Praveen, aged 22, on Wednesday and again on Thursday. On both occasions, she was told to return the next day. When the two women arrived on Thursday and firmly demanded either the jewellery or their money back, the shop owner allegedly told them to come after six months.
Acid Thrown in Fit of Rage
The argument escalated rapidly. According to the police statement, the accused persons abused the women, and in a fit of rage, Swarnkar picked up an acid bottle kept at the shop counter and hurled it directly at the faces of the mother and daughter. The acid burned several parts of their faces and bodies. Bystanders nearby immediately took both women to Sadar Hospital in Madhepura, where they are receiving treatment.
After committing the attack, Swarnkar shut down the shop and fled. Police arrived at the hospital, recorded the statements of the injured women and registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a family member.
The shop owner, speaking through associates, allegedly claimed that the women had entered his shop with the intention of looting, an accusation the family has firmly denied.
