What began as a shocking report of an acid attack on a 20-year-old woman near Delhi’s Laxmi Bai College has turned out to be an elaborate conspiracy staged by the victim herself and her father. Police investigations have revealed that the supposed assault was fabricated to falsely implicate three men, one of whom had earlier accused the woman’s father of rape.
According to Delhi Police, the woman used toilet cleaner from her home to inflict injuries on herself and make it appear like an acid attack. The truth came to light after CCTV footage and call-data records (CDR) exposed multiple inconsistencies in her story.
Revenge After Rape Complaint
Two days before the alleged acid attack, the wife of one of the accused men had lodged a rape and blackmail complaint against the woman’s father, Aqeel Khan. She told police that while working at Khan’s factory between 2021 and 2024, he had sexually assaulted her and threatened her with private photos and videos.
When summoned for questioning, Khan sent his lawyer and a local preacher instead of appearing himself, prompting police to issue a search order. He was later tracked to Sangam Vihar and arrested on Monday.
How the Conspiracy Unfolded
Investigators say the father–daughter duo staged the acid attack to divert attention from the rape case and frame three men including the woman who had accused Khan.
Special CP (Law & Order) Ravindra Singh Yadav confirmed the plot, stating, “The woman and her father conspired to fabricate the case in order to protect him from the ongoing sexual harassment and blackmail investigation.” Khan has been arrested on related charges.
CCTV Footage Exposes the Lie
The alleged attack took place on Sunday near Laxmi Bai College, where the woman claimed three men threw acid at her. But CCTV footage told a different story showing her travelling on a two-wheeler with her brother before taking an e-rickshaw to the area. None of the accused men were seen near the scene.
Police are also probing why the woman’s brother, who dropped her off at Ashok Vihar instead of the college gate, has not joined the investigation and remains untraceable.
Meanwhile, two other men initially accused were found to be in Agra with their mother during the time of the alleged attack, further proving the complaint was false.
Layers of Deceit and Past Feuds
Police said one of the falsely accused men’s wives had herself been a victim of an acid attack in 2018 and is currently locked in a property dispute with the woman’s father, Aqeel Khan.
Investigators believe the fake assault was part of a larger revenge scheme linked to both the rape case and ongoing land disputes within the extended family.
Police Call It a Disturbing Misuse of Law
Special CP Ravindra Singh Yadav described the act as “a deeply disturbing misuse of legal and social safeguards meant to protect women.” He added that such false accusations not only waste public resources but also undermine the credibility of genuine victims.
Aqeel Khan remains in custody under charges of sexual harassment, blackmail, and criminal conspiracy, while further investigations continue into his daughter’s role in staging the false acid attack.
