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Vidarbha's Acid Attack Crisis: 5 Years of Violence

Vidarbha's Acid Attack Crisis: 5 Years of Violence
Vidarbha's Acid Attack Crisis: 5 Years of Violence

Vidarbha has become a troubling focal point for acid attack cases, with incidents recorded across multiple districts between 2020 and 2025.


From Nagpur's urban centres to the rural areas of Gondia and Amravati, these attacks have left survivors facing severe physical injuries and long-term psychological trauma. The cases span diverse backgrounds, with women and young girls forming the majority of victims.


Healthcare workers, students, and women in domestic relationships have all fallen victim to this form of violence that law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and prosecute. Maharashtra acid attack statistics show the state consistently ranks among the top regions for such crimes nationwide.


Healthcare Workers and Public Service Attacks in Nagpur District


In February 2020, a shocking incident occurred at Saoner tehsil when a woman doctor from Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur became the victim of an acid attack whilst conducting health screenings for underprivileged women.


The attack also injured two other individuals, including a minor who was part of the state government initiative team.


The perpetrator, identified as 22-year-old Nilesh Kanhere, approached the healthcare team and threw toilet-cleaning acid from a plastic bottle.

The victims sustained burns to their faces and other body parts before receiving emergency treatment at Mayo Hospital in Nagpur. This particular case drew significant attention due to the targeting of healthcare workers who were performing public service duties in the community.


The incident highlighted the vulnerability of public service workers and raised concerns about the accessibility of corrosive substances that can be weaponised.


Police investigations revealed that the acid used was a common household cleaning product, demonstrating how perpetrators exploit readily available materials to carry out these devastating attacks.


Medical professionals in Vidarbha have expressed concerns about safety protocols during community outreach programmes following this incident. The attack on healthcare workers performing government-mandated health screenings represented a new dimension in acid violence cases across the region.


Domestic Violence and Acid Attacks in Vidarbha


Vidarbha has witnessed numerous cases where domestic disputes have escalated to acid violence, revealing a disturbing pattern of intimate partner abuse across the region's districts.


In April 2024, authorities in Nagpur registered a case against a woman for allegedly throwing acid on her 29-year-old boyfriend, Ganesh Laxman Bhoyer, following disagreements in their live-in relationship.

The victim sustained severe injuries requiring hospitalisation, whilst the accused fled the scene with two accomplices. Police investigations uncovered that the relationship had deteriorated due to the victim's alcohol addiction and disputes over the woman's social interactions with others.


A particularly distressing case emerged from Amravati district in December 2024, when Shubham Bhaskar Andhale threw acid on his wife following a family dispute over money.


The 32-year-old victim suffered 13 per cent burns and required treatment at the district general hospital. Police reports indicated that Andhale had demanded 3,500 rupees from his wife, and when she refused, he physically assaulted her before throwing acid on her face.


The intersection of domestic violence and acid attacks demonstrates how intimate partner violence can escalate to extreme forms of physical assault designed to cause permanent disfigurement.


These cases reveal the calculated nature of such attacks, where perpetrators use acid as a weapon of control and punishment within domestic relationships.

Wardha district has also recorded incidents stemming from one-sided romantic obsessions, following similar patterns where rejected suitors resort to acid violence as a means of punishment and control. These attacks reflect deeply entrenched attitudes that view women's autonomy in relationships as threatening to male authority.


Student Safety and Acid Violence Cases Across Educational Institutions


Educational institutions and public spaces have become sites of vulnerability for young women in the region, with several cases involving students being attacked by rejected suitors.


In December 2019, a 20-year-old engineering student from Khalbandha village in Gondia district was attacked with acid whilst waiting for a bus to return to her college in Nagpur.

Two motorcycle-borne assailants with covered faces threw acid on the victim before fleeing the scene. The student sustained severe burn injuries to her face and chest and was transferred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur for treatment. Police investigations later revealed that one of the attackers, Rahul Ramu Nanet, was romantically interested in the victim and carried out the attack after she rejected his advances

.

The premeditated nature of this attack, involving covered faces and planned escape routes, underscored the calculated approach many perpetrators take in carrying out acid violence. The case also highlighted the vulnerability of young women using public transport and waiting in public spaces across Maharashtra's eastern region.


Amravati district recorded a particularly disturbing case in December 2017 involving a ninth-standard student who was attacked by three young men as an act of revenge.

The minor victim had previously slapped one of the attackers, prompting them to throw acid on her in retaliation. The student suffered serious injuries and required hospitalisation, whilst police arrested two of the three perpetrators.


This case exemplified the retaliatory nature of many acid attacks, where perpetrators use corrosive substances to exact revenge for perceived slights or rejections. The involvement of minors both as victims and perpetrators raised additional concerns about youth violence and access to dangerous substances in educational environments.


Law Enforcement Response and Legal Framework for Acid Attack Cases

Law Enforcement Response and Legal Framework for Acid Attack Cases
Law Enforcement Response and Legal Framework for Acid Attack Cases

The response from law enforcement agencies across the region has varied, with some cases resulting in swift arrests, whilst others have faced prolonged investigations.


The complexity of these cases often stems from the intimate relationships between victims and perpetrators, requiring investigators to navigate family dynamics, social pressures, and potential witness intimidation.

Investigation patterns show that perpetrators frequently obtain acid from their workplaces, including factories and cleaning establishments. This accessibility persists despite Supreme Court directives aimed at regulating acid sales. The 2020 Saoner incident involved toilet cleaning acid, whilst other cases have implicated industrial acids obtained from manufacturing facilities.


Maharashtra has implemented the Manodhairya Scheme, which provides financial assistance ranging from 1 lakh to 10 lakh rupees for rape and acid attack victims. The scheme, administered through District Legal Services Authorities, has processed numerous cases from the region. However, survivors often face delays in receiving compensation and accessing promised rehabilitation services.


Legal proceedings in acid attack cases have produced varying outcomes, with conviction rates reflecting broader challenges in the judicial system's handling of gender-based violence. Cases frequently experience delays due to court backlogs, witness testimony issues, and the complex nature of evidence collection in acid attack investigations.

According to National Crime Records Bureau statistics, Maharashtra consistently ranks among the top states for acid attacks nationwide.


The state reported 9 cases in 2017, 5 cases in 2018, 10 cases in 2019, 7 cases in 2020, and 12 cases in 2021. Advocacy groups and survivor organisations argue that many cases go unreported, particularly in rural areas where social stigma and limited access to legal resources discourage victims from filing complaints.

Law enforcement agencies in the region have initiated efforts to improve their response through specialised training for investigating officers and better coordination with medical facilities to ensure proper evidence collection and victim care. However, challenges remain in preventing these attacks and ensuring swift justice for survivors.


Hospital records from Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur and other medical facilities in the region indicate that acid attack survivors require extensive reconstructive surgeries, often spanning several years. The physical injuries extend far beyond initial burns, with victims facing long-term medical needs that can overwhelm families financially.


The medical response to acid attacks involves immediate emergency care to address chemical burns, followed by multiple stages of reconstructive surgery. Survivors often require skin grafts, facial reconstruction, and ongoing treatment for complications. The financial burden of this extended medical care frequently proves overwhelming for families, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.


Beyond physical injuries, survivors face significant psychological trauma and social challenges. The visible nature of facial injuries from acid attacks often leads to social ostracism and discrimination, affecting victims' ability to maintain relationships, find employment, and participate fully in community life.


Civil society organisations have become increasingly important in supporting acid attack survivors in the region. Groups like the Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation, founded by Mumbai-based survivor Daulat Bi Khan, have extended their reach to include survivors from the area. These organisations provide medical assistance, legal support, psychological counselling, and vocational training to help survivors rebuild their lives.


The period from 2020 to 2025 has seen increased media attention on acid attacks in the region, with local and national news outlets covering individual cases and broader policy issues.


The cases documented across districts during this period reveal concerning trends in both the methods used by perpetrators and the challenges faced by survivors in accessing justice and rehabilitation.

The geographical spread of incidents demonstrates that acid attacks affect victims across different ages, educational backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances throughout Maharashtra's eastern region.


As law enforcement agencies work to improve their response through specialised training and better coordination with medical facilities, the cases from recent years serve as stark reminders of the ongoing challenges in addressing this form of violence.


The survivors continue their legal battles whilst undergoing medical treatment, representing both the human cost of these attacks and the determination of those working to overcome their devastating effects.


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