New Delhi: In a chilling escalation of domestic violence, a young biotech student from Tripura is fighting for survival in a Delhi hospital after her live-in partner allegedly doused her private parts in hand sanitiser and set them on fire during a heated argument.
The victim remains in critical condition at Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors are treating her for life-threatening burn injuries following the brutal assault in the Badshahpur area of Gurugram.
From digital romance to living nightmare
The victim and the accused, identified as Shivam, reportedly met through a mobile dating application in September 2025. Their relationship progressed rapidly, leading the couple to move into a paying guest (PG) accommodation together. According to police investigations, the bond appeared serious enough that discussions regarding a formal marriage had already commenced between their respective families.
However, the domestic setup was allegedly marred by constant friction. Police officials state that Shivam harboured deep-seated suspicions regarding the woman’s fidelity. These suspicions reportedly reached a violent breaking point during a recent altercation.
The assault and arson
During the dispute, Shivam allegedly physically assaulted the student before turning a bottle of flammable hand sanitiser into a weapon. Investigators state he poured the alcohol-based liquid over her private parts and ignited it, leaving the victim with severe, agonising injuries.
The horror came to light after the victim’s mother contacted the authorities, reporting that her daughter was being harassed and had been savagely beaten at her residence. Acting on the tip, police arrived at the PG accommodation and immediately rushed the woman to a government hospital in Gurugram’s Sector 10. Given the severity of the burns and her deteriorating condition, she was later referred to the specialised burn unit at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
Legal action and arrest
Gurugram Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar confirmed that a formal case was registered on February 19, leading to Shivam’s immediate arrest.
“The couple had been in a live-in relationship since September 2025,” Kumar said “Our preliminary findings suggest that the accused’s suspicion of the victim’s character triggered this horrific assault. We are continuing a thorough investigation into the matter.”
Access denied to legal counsel
While the police move forward with the criminal proceedings, the victim’s lawyer, Reena Roy, has raised concerns regarding transparency. Roy claimed that when she attempted to visit the injured student at Safdarjung Hospital to assess her condition and provide legal aid, police personnel denied her entry and refused to let her meet her client.