“If You’re Not Mine.”: UP Woman Attacked with Acid Just Before Wedding, Ex-Lover Arrested

Azamgarh | May 3, 2025

In a gruesome act of violence born out of obsession, a 25-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district was attacked with acid mere weeks ahead of her wedding. The attack took place on Thursday when the victim, Reema (name changed), was walking back home after she withdrew ₹20,000 from a nearby bank.

The two motorcycle-borne men stopped her at a secluded section of the road, reported the police. Ram Janam Singh Patel, who is said to be her erstwhile boyfriend, allegedly threatened to say, “If you are not mine, you will not be anyone else’s,” and then splashed acid on her.

Reema, who was busy arranging her wedding ceremonies after the death of her father, received 60% burns on her face, shoulder, neck, and upper body. She was first taken to the nearby Community Health Centre and subsequently shifted to Global Hospital in Azamgarh, where she is being treated for 60% burns.

Police moved quickly and arrested Patel and two accomplices. The bicycle used in the attack has also been recovered. Under interrogation, Patel allegedly said he had wanted to “disfigure her enough to prevent the wedding” but said he had planned to pour acid on her back to inflict “minimal” injury.

The vicious attack has triggered outrage in the region, with women’s rights activists calling for stricter enforcement of laws against acid violence.

This horrific incident has occurred hardly a month after the news of an acid attack broke in Shahjahanpur where a man, reportedly, poured acid on his wife and two daughters for infidelity.

The authorities have promised a stringent investigation and rigorous action under relevant sections of the IPC and Acid Attack Victims Compensation Scheme.