Chennai: A 29-year-old woman has lost vision in her left eye after her husband allegedly threw toilet cleaning acid on her in Pallavaram, following her decision to seek a divorce through court proceedings. The incident has sparked shock and outrage across the city.
Sana Fathima, a resident of Bharathi Nagar near Pallavaram, and Mohammed Ali, a resident of the Anakaputhur area, fell in love and got married in 2020. The couple has a four-year-old son. According to reports, Fathima separated from her husband and approached the court seeking divorce because Mohammed, who was addicted to alcohol, would come home drunk every day and subject her to physical and mental abuse. Consequently, Mohammed Ali harbored intense anger toward his wife.
The acid attack
On March 15, Fathima was walking alone at her mother’s house when the incident took place. Spotting his wife walking alone, Mohammed Ali procured toilet cleaning acid, intercepted Fathima, and poured it directly onto her face. Writhing in agony, Fathima attempted to flee the scene, but Mohammed relentlessly chased after her. A bystander who witnessed the horrific event intervened to stop Mohammed, rescued Fathima, and rushed her to a private hospital.
MAN POURED TOILET ACID ON HIS ESTRANGED WIFE
A man Mohammad Ali, 31, in Pallavaram poured toilet cleaner acid on his estranged wife Sana Fathima, 29, leaving her seriously injured. She was alone at her mother’s house, when the incident took place. pic.twitter.com/ozxDG9C4Rz
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) March 17, 2026
Severe injuries and aftermath
As the toilet cleaning acid splashed into her left eye, Fathima permanently lost her vision in that eye. She continues to receive intensive medical treatment for the severe injuries sustained in the attack. The incident—where a husband, driven by rage over a divorce petition, threw acid at his wife—has sent shockwaves across Chennai.
Police investigation
Pallavaram police have registered a case regarding the incident and are conducting an intensive manhunt for Mohammed Ali, who has gone into hiding following the attack.