Friends help acid attack victim deal with depression

CHENNAI: Traumatised by an acid attack that left her blind and disfigured, J Vinodhini, 23, now depends on her friends for comfort.
Doctors said the software engineer, who has been shifted to Aditya Hospital in Kilpauk from Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), is in a state of depression. When she was in KMCH, she constantly recalled the senseless attack by a man who professed his love for her, then threatened and stalked her before he threw acid in her face on November 14.
"Her friends from college and her neighbourhood meet her at the hospital and give her hope," Vinodhini's uncle Ramesh said. "Our appeal for funds for treatment has received good response and people have generously deposited nearly 1 lakh.
Though the treatment was excellent in KMCH, Vinodhini was depressed because she was next to others with burn injuries, Ramesh said. "Now that she is in a separate room, her friends can meet and chat with her. She is much better now," said a family friend, K Krishnasamy.
Vinodhini's father V Jayabalan, a security guard at a private school in Karaikudi, requested public to help him raise funds for her treatment. Jayabalan opened an account with Indian Bank in Kilpauk. People can deposit donations in the savings bank account (no. 603899) in the name of V Jayabalan.
A police officer said Vinodhini's assailant, Suresh, a construction worker, was obsessed with her. During interrogation, Suresh told police that he had decided to take revenge on Vinodhini because her family had lodged a police complaint against him.
Karaikal police arrested Suresh, 29, and charged him with attempted murder .