Kolkata: A resident of a Gariahat neighbourhood allegedly threatened a 40-year-old female neighbour with an acid attack that would maim her and publicly humiliated her during a dispute over parking space. The woman approached cops at the Gariahat PS during Durga Puja, saying she was in severe shock.
Police said the incident took place around 8.30 pm on Oct 19 in a 12-ft-wide lane shared lane in front of the complainant’s residence.
In her complaint, the woman said her car was parked in the common passage when her next-door neighbour allegedly demanded that she remove it immediately. She told police that she objected, saying the vehicle was not blocking any of the entrances or exits and that she had an equal right, as a long-time resident, to use the private lane. The woman told police that as she refused to move her car, the man lost his temper, abused her in front of other neighbours and onlookers, made remarks that caused her “severe mental agony, humiliation” and outraged her modesty. But the accused denied the allegations, telling police that the claims were “concocted” and that he had not threatened anyone.
The woman alleged that the accused threatened her life and safety, saying he would throw acid on her face and damage her eyes if she did not comply. She also accused him of defaming her by referring to pending legal matters involving her, despite no adverse court verdict against her. The woman also claimed that the accused neighbour had been harassing her for months though she had tried to ignore those acts to maintain peace. She has offered to provide police with the footage of CCTV cameras outside her house. Police have registered an FIR on charges including criminal intimidation, public insult and outraging the modesty of a woman.