Man attacks estranged wife with acid and machete

Chitradurga: A 44-year-old man allegedly attacked five people including his estranged wife and their daughter with acid, and a machete before fleeing, in Malappanahatti area of the city on Thursday. The accused, Mohammad Suhail, is said to have attacked his wife, Tasneem Banu, their daughter, and three others. The couple lived apart for the past eight months due to marital disputes. Police said Tasneem Banu and Neha, sisters of Nagma Naik came from Bengaluru to Chitradurga with their children for a festival.On learning this, Suhail allegedly barged into their house and attacked his wife with a machete. When Nagma Naik, Tasneem Banu's elder sister, and Neha, her younger sister, along with Neha's 4-year-old daughter and his own 11-year-old daughter, tried to intervene, he threw acid on all five and fled.All five victims sustained serious injuries and were treated at Chitradurga district hospital before being shifted to a private hospital in Davangere. The wife expressed anger against her husband, saying that despite giving him many chances to mend his ways, it was of no use. Unable to bear his abuse, she moved to Bengaluru.She demanded strict punishment for him, saying that he committed the crime while she was in Chitradurga. The SP, Ranjith Kumar Bandaru, visited the scene and conducted an investigation.Speaking to the media, he said an acid attack case has occurred in the jurisdiction of Kote police station. The accused, an auto driver from Nehru Nagar, has been seperated from his wife for the past eight months due to family disputes. "The couple were having disputes from the beginning, and they separated eight months ago. Despite this, the accused harboured resentment. We will arrest him and take appropriate action," SP said.