Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Delhi Court Acquits 3 in 2009 Acid Attack
A Delhi court has freed three people accused of throwing acid on a woman named Shaheen Malik in 2009.
The court said the police did a bad job investigating the case and didn't find enough proof to blame the three people.
A young person involved in the attack was already found guilty.
The victim had to go through many surgeries and lost vision in one eye.
The court was sad for her but said they couldn't punish the three people because there wasn't enough evidence.
The court also told the police to investigate why they did a bad job.
The victim's lawyer said they will challenge the decision in higher courts.
The Supreme Court had earlier said that slow trials in such cases are a shame and should be faster.
A Delhi court acquitted three accused (Yashwinder, Bala, Mandeep) in a 2009 acid attack case due to lack of evidence.
The court criticized the police for a nonchalant and unprofessional investigation, suggesting it was designed to shield the culprits.
The victim, Shaheen Malik, suffered severe injuries, including loss of vision in one eye and partial vision in the other, and underwent 18 surgeries.
The prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and the court highlighted serious lapses in the investigation.
The court ordered the Panipat Superintendent of Police to conduct an inquiry into the investigation lapses and take appropriate action within 30 days.
- Who
- Three accused (Yashwinder, Bala, Mandeep) and a juvenile were involved in the acid attack on Shaheen Malik.
- What
- The Delhi court acquitted the three accused due to lack of evidence, while the juvenile was previously convicted.
- When
- The incident occurred on November 19, 2009, and the judgment was delivered on December 24, 2025.
- Where
- The attack took place in Panipat, Haryana, and the case was transferred to Delhi's Rohini court in 2013.
- Why
- The prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and the police investigation was criticized for being unprofessional and nonchalant.
- Date of Incident
- November 19, 2009
- Victim
- Shaheen Malik
- Accused
- Yashwinder, Bala, Mandeep
- Convicted Juvenile
- One (name not disclosed)
- Court
- Delhi's Additional Sessions Judge Jagmohan Singh
- Date of Judgment
- December 24, 2025
- Charges Against Yashwinder
- Sections 364A, 376, 506, 511 of IPC
- Charges Against Bala
- Sections 120B, 326, 308 of IPC
- Charges Against Mandeep
- Sections 120B, 326, 308 of IPC
