Ludhiana: A local court has sentenced a man to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for attacking a person with acid in Machhiwara Sahib nearly nine years ago. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the convict.Additional sessions judge (Fast Track Special Court) Aashish Abrol convicted Harvinder Singh of Behlolpur under Section 326-A IPC (causing grievous hurt by use of acid). The accused was initially booked in Aug 2017 under Sections 307 and 326-A IPC.According to the prosecution, the accused attacked complainant Rachpal Singh outside a hairdresser’s shop on Aug 26, 2017, after an earlier quarrel. He allegedly threw acid on the victim’s face, eye, ear, chest and back before fleeing. The victim was rushed to hospital and later referred to GMCH-32, Chandigarh, for treatment.During trial, the defence argued that the injuries were simple in nature and did not attract Section 326-A. However, the court observed that burns caused by acid attacks fall within the ambit of the provision even if they are not grievous.The court held that while the evidence did not establish an attempt to murder, the offence of acid attack was clearly made out. Rejecting the convict’s plea for leniency, the court sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine.
