Woman throws acid on man after relationship row

HOWRAH: A woman allegedly threw acid at a man after he refused to accept the woman’s alleged relationship with his wife. The man is now battling for life at a Howrah hospital. The accused is at large.

Azizul Rehman (32), a resident of Howrah’s Udbhabpur, married Piyaran Bibi (27) in 2008. A trader by profession, Rehman was living a happy life with Piyaran till he came to know about her relationship with the accused — Sabina Khatun. Rehman was shocked to learn about the relationship and took up the matter with her parents.

According to locals, Piyaran and Sabina were close friends since their school days. They also used to spend time after school hours, said a local. “While none felt anything initially, Piyaran’s family got an inkling about their relationship. They disapproved of that and also tried to dissuade Piyaran. The strong arm tactic of her parents failed to evoke any response and Piyaran, instead, made it clear that they cannot be separated from each other,” said a source.

Sensing a trouble, Piyaran’s parents arranged her marriage with Azizul. Sabina remained a spinster and kept in constant touch with Piyaran. “Only six months ago, Piyaran left home with Sabina. She left a letter with Azizul and asked him to take care of their kids,” said a local resident. She also allegedly confessed of having a relationship with Sabina and claimed that they would be happy together. Azizul then filed a missing complaint with the Shyampur police station.

Azizul later married Kashmira Bibi after the locals advised him to do so. A few months ago, police found Piyaran and brought her to Azizul. While Azizul agreed to accept her and allowed Piyaran to stay in his house, he asked her to snap all ties with Sabina.

On Thursday evening, Sabina met Azizul at a bus stop in Howrah’s Shibgunj and tried to convince him about their relationship. When Azizul tried to dissuade her, she threw acid on his face. While Sabina fled the spot, locals took Azizul to a hospital. “Piyaran was later arrested and she confessed that she had planned the attack on Azizul with Sabina. She claimed that they wanted to teach Azizul a lesson,” said Biswa Chand Thakur, additional SP, Howrah (rural).