Surat court sentence death penalty to man in horrific 2019 acid attack murder

A District and Sessions Court in Surat has convicted and sentenced death penalty to a 55-year-old man Bechar Kakadiya, for a brutal acid attack that resulted in the murder of a youth and injured an employee in 2019. 

According to prosecution records, the incident transpired on March 28, 2019, inside the premises in the Pandesara GIDC area. Driven by a financial dispute involving a ₹15 lakh investment with his business partner targeted his 22-year-old son, to exact revenge.  

CCTV footage and eyewitness testimonies revealed that the accused entered the factory wearing rubber hand gloves and carrying a container filled with corrosive acid. He approached the son of business partner from behind and poured sulfuric acid over his head.

As a panicked the victim rushed outside to douse himself with water, the accused followed him and repeatedly stabbed him in the back and shoulder using a stationery cutter. The victim later succumbed to severe chemical burns and shock at Mahavir Hospital. Factory master Ranjitkumar Dhobi was also injured after acid splattered onto his arm and leg during the assault.

The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor presented 36 witnesses, alongside extensive FSL and medical reports that confirmed death by corrosive acid burns. Rejecting the defense's claims of false implication, the court convicted Kakadiya under Sections 302 and 326 (A) (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 135(1) of the Gujarat Police Act.