A sleepless night turned into a lifetime of scars when a man, gripped by jealousy and suspicion, poured acid through his bedroom window—onto his wife and four sleeping children.
The Kerala High Court has now confirmed the life sentence handed to the man, declaring his actions “premeditated and inhuman.” The court also ordered the State to pay ₹3 lakh each in compensation to the wife and children, noting that the trial court had failed to address their suffering adequately.
The case dates back to January 17, 2019, around 3 a.m. What began as paranoia over his wife’s fidelity ended in unspeakable brutality. The acid attack left the eldest daughter permanently blind, while the others endured severe burns.
A bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar upheld the conviction under Section 326A of the IPC—causing grievous hurt by acid—while setting aside the house-trespass charge, since the attack took place in his own home.
“The victims are his wife and children—five lives irreversibly marked. The punishment cannot be seen as excessive,” the court observed.
The man’s defence—that no one had actually seen him pour the acid—was dismissed as hollow in the face of overwhelming circumstantial evidence and his violent history. His wife had earlier lodged complaints of domestic abuse and threats, and a day before the assault, the family’s belongings were mysteriously set ablaze.
The High Court’s decision affirms that justice must not only punish cruelty but also restore dignity to its survivors. For the victims of that dark January night, the verdict may not erase the pain—but it recognizes it, finally, in full measure.