Kasargod acid attack: Woman critical after assault by stalker who later dies by suicide

Kasargod acid attack: Woman critical after assault by stalker who later dies by suicide

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasargod, May 9, 2025: A horrific acid attack has left a 44-year-old woman battling for her life and sparked outrage in the East Eleri panchayat community. The incident occurred on Wednesday inside the woman’s fancy store, where she was assaulted by a known stalker who later died by suicide.

The victim, identified as Sindhu Mol—also known as Bindu—sustained severe burns on the left side of her face, eye, neck, and thighs. She is currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College in Pariyaram, Kannur. Doctors say it will take several days to assess the full extent of her injuries, particularly the potential damage to her eyesight.

The attacker, Ratheesh (34), widely known as “Pachari Ratheesh” due to his previous employment at a ration shop, had allegedly been stalking and threatening Sindhu for months. According to her sister, Uma Gangadharan, Ratheesh had repeatedly warned Sindhu that he would throw acid on her, prompting her to approach the police for protection.

On Wednesday, Ratheesh entered Sindhu’s store and confronted her over her police complaints before throwing acid on her in front of bystanders. The attack shocked the local community, many of whom witnessed the incident.

Following the assault, police launched a search operation. Ratheesh was later found hanging from a tree in a nearby plot, confirmed Chittarikkal Station House Officer, Inspector Ranjith Raveendran.

Inspector Raveendran noted that both the victim and the accused were from the same locality and were once close. However, following a personal fallout, Ratheesh allegedly began harassing Sindhu, leading her to file a complaint. While police claimed the matter had been resolved, Sindhu’s sister disputed this, stating that the harassment had continued until just days before the attack. On May 5, Ratheesh reportedly rammed his motorcycle into Sindhu’s scooter and issued further threats.

“He asked if she would go to the police again, and then threw acid on her,” Uma recounted. While officials claim there was no recent formal complaint, local residents confirmed that Ratheesh had been issuing public threats.

Ratheesh had been working as a daily wage laborer with a borewell company. “He was physically strong, but perhaps couldn’t accept rejection,” said a neighbor who had known both individuals since childhood.

Sindhu, a mother of two daughters—one studying BSc Nursing and the other pursuing a BBA—lives in Kamballur. Her husband runs a tyre retreading business in nearby Peringome, Kannur.

This incident marks the second acid-related assault on a woman shopkeeper in Kasaragod within a month. On April 8, in Bedadka panchayat, a man named Ramamrutham (56) poured thinner on 30-year-old C Ramitha following her complaint against his abusive behavior. Despite a warning, police released him, and Ramitha later died from her injuries.

These repeated incidents have raised serious concerns over women’s safety and the effectiveness of police responses to stalking and harassment complaints.