05 December,2016 10:15 AM IST | | Samiullah Khan
The 22-year-old who stayed in the locality opposite Scooter colony, where the family lived, was trying to stop the woman from returning to her hometown with her husband and son
Students from the Brilliant pre-primary school, where four-year-old Adarsh Singh studies, take out a protest march to show support for him and his family, on Sunday
The Dindoshi police have arrested a 22-year-old in the Malad acid attack case. This arrest comes after those of victim Chandan Singh's boss Morab and a co-worker.
Police sources said Sarafaz Ansari, who stayed in the locality opposite Scooter colony, where Chandan lived with his wife Chandni and four-year-old son Adarsh, allegedly threw acid on the family when they were all sleeping a few days ago.
Also Read: Mumbai crime: Sleeping Malad family wakes up to a nightmare acid attack
Adarsh Singh is recuperating in Shatabdi hospital along with his mother Chandni
They are yet to establish whether the other two arrested have any connection to the incident or have any role to play in the crime.
Secret's out
Investigation has revealed that Ansari had been pining for Chandni since many years, and his alleged act of throwing acid on the family was to stop her from leaving the city.
After the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, small-scale industries, which included bangle workshops like the one where Chandan was working, had taken a hit and were one by one shutting down due to the cash crunch. As a result of this, Chandan had been mulling over leaving Mumbai with his family and go to their native place.
When Ansari came to know about it, he became restless, and in a bid stop Chandni from going, he flung acid on the three. The police said he had wanted to throw a small amount, just to cause minor injuries and stall them, but he accidentally ended up throwing more.
Accused's mole
Ansari worked at the same workshop as Chandan for 10 years and had left it only recently. During the time that they were colleagues, Ansari used to visit Chandan's home often and had fallen in love with Chandni, said the police.
Read Story: Mumbai: Victim's boss, co-worker held for Malad acid attack
An officer said that Ansari's younger brother was still in the same workshop and used to tell him everything that happened there. So, when he told Ansari about the heated argument between Singh and workshop owner Morab, the former allegedly decided to take advantage of this to make Morab look like the culprit, he added.
The police said they have sufficient evidence against Ansari.
Fighting for life
Chandan Singh, who is critical, has been shifted to Kasturba hospital; while Chandni and their son Adarsh are recovering in Shatabdi hospital. The family of three sustained serious burns after acid was flung on them in the wee hours of December 29.
