Youth who threw hot oil on girl 'surrenders' in court

ULHASNAGAR: Ajit Talreja, the youth absconding after throwing hot oil on a girl for refusing to marry him, surrendered before a court here on Monday, nine days after the incident. He tried to hide his identity by wearing a pagdi but a cop posted in court recognized him and informed the Central police, who immediately approached the judge and got his custody.
The accused had thrown oil on the face and hands of his former fiancée, Neetu Jaisinghani, at a clinic where she was working as a compounder on July 27. Neetu's colleague also suffered burns in the attack. The accused then fled, leaving behind a note, claiming in it that after ruining Neetu's life, he would end his.
The Central police, who had sent teams to various places to nab him, said Talreja, wearing the pagdi, came to court with his lawyer at 4pm. But Kashinath Bhoir, a constable, recognized him and informed senior officials of the Central police station.
A team led by senior inspector Ashok Sapkal reached the spot and approached the judge, Sonali Rathod, to seek his custody. "We got one day's police custody, but we will produce him in court for further custody on Tuesday," Sapkal said.
Another investigator, Ajit Choudhary, said, "The accused was in Haridwar after spending time at various places in Maharashtra." An officer said, "His cell phone location had shown that he visited the Shani Shinganapur temple near Nashik and Balaji Mandir in Pune after committing the crime."
A doctor had told the police that Talreja had visited the clinic two hours before the incident, and had complained of common cold and took some medicines.
Neetu's brother, Gulabsingh Jaisinghani, said they were happy with the arrest and felt he should get maximum punishment for his crime. Sources said Talreja's family was also happy with the surrender as they were being "harassed" by the police in the name of investigations.
Talreja was in love with Neetu for more than five years, and three months back, both families agreed to their marriage. But Neetu's family soon learned that Talreja had bad habits and rejected the marriage proposal.
Talreja went into a state of depression after the rejection, and attacked the victim and her 40-year-old colleague when they were closing the clinic at Shiva-ji Chowk.
Her colleague received 12% burn injuries and the condition of both is said to be stable.
THE CRIME
Ajit Talreja on July 27 threw hot oil from a flash on former fiancée, Neetu Jaisinghani (21), as her family had rejected his marriage proposal. Her colleague was also injured in the attack. Talreja was undergoing psychiatric treatment as he went into a state of depression following the rejection, the police said.
HER CONDITION
Neetu suffered burns on her face and hands. Her colleague received 12% burn injuries. The condition of both is said to be stable.
SECTIONS APPLIED
307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Under an amendment, an accused can be sentenced for up to 10 years in jail