05 September,2016 08:50 AM IST | | Amit Kumar
Parents of Preeti Rathi, who watched their daughter suffer and die after an acid attack at Bandra station in 2013, want the court to award her attacker the death penalty
Preeti's parents Roshini and Amar Singh Rathi recall the dreams they had for the 23-year-old before she was killed
Three years ago, Preeti Rathi's family took great pride as the 23-year-old headed to Mumbai to start her career as a naval nurse, never suspecting that their own neighbour would fling acid on her and kill all their hopes. Today, all they hope for is to see him pay for his crime - their prayers now rest with the sessions court, which will pronounce its verdict in the case tomorrow.
Preeti Rathi fought for her life for nearly a month
Delhi resident Preeti had just completed her nursing course and was selected as a lieutenant nurse in the Indian Navy. On May 2, 2013, she was to report for her first day at naval hospital INHS Asvini and had just reached Bandra Terminus along with her father, when her neighbour Ankur Panwar (25) threw acid on her. When the police finally caught up with him in January 2014, almost a year after the incident, they learnt that he had attacked her because he was jealous of her success. Despite spending an exorbitant amount of money on his hotel management education, Ankur was unemployed and was constantly taunted by his parents, who compared him to the younger, more successful Preeti.
'He should hang'
Preeti's mother, Roshni Rathi said, "He was our neighbour and we knew his family well. I treated him like my son; we saw him grow in front of our eyes. I don't want him to go scot-free. He should be hanged."
Also read - Mumbai acid attack: Preeti Rathi's neighbour held for flinging acid at her
For nearly a month, Roshni had watched her daughter fight a losing battle for life after the brutal attack. Preeti eventually succumbed to her injuries and breathed her last on June 1, 2013. "It was very tough to see her that way. She had lost her speech and I couldn't understand who did this to my daughter. She was a very homely person, and never mingled with too many friends," said Roshni.
"The accused didn't think twice before throwing acid on our daughter. Whatever the verdict, my daughter is not going to come back. But we are thankful that the Mumbai police arrested the right person," she added.
Father has cancer
Without Preeti, life has become hard for the Rathi family. Her father Amar Singh Rathi (61) retired from his job last year, leaving them with no other breadwinner. Preeti's younger brother Hitesh completed a BTech course in Electricals, but is still searching for a job. Times have been particularly tough since Preeti's dad was diagnosed with cancer. "I am suffering from cancer and regularly visit AIIMS for chemotherapy. If Preeti was alive, I would have got better care and treatment. I miss her every moment," he said.
