The incident occurred on Wednesday around 1 pm while the girl was picking up her 10-year-old cousin from a school in the Shastri Park Extension area. The victim experienced a “burn-like sensation, itching, and irritation on her eyes, neck, and nose” due to the chemical used in the attack.
Promptly reported on the same day, an FIR was filed under sections 326(b) and 341 of the Indian Penal Code at Burari Police Station. Following the assault, the girl received treatment at a government hospital in Burari and was later discharged.
Despite the lack of surveillance cameras at the crime scene, the police formed three teams to identify and apprehend the assailant. The victim’s lack of prior acquaintance with the attacker made the case challenging to crack.
Teams were assigned to profile the victim, review CCTV footage, and position themselves near schools with a description of the suspect. After meticulous scrutiny, a boy matching the description was identified on CCTV footage about a kilometer away from the crime scene.
By playing back the video in slow motion, the police obtained a more accurate description, leading to the apprehension of the suspect. During interrogation, the boy confessed to the crime.
Evidence, including the caustic powder used in the attack, a water solution, a small bottle, clothes, a bag, and a handkerchief mask, were recovered. The suspect, in a preliminary examination, revealed a general dislike for girls and claimed to have randomly chosen the victim, whom he did not know.
