A 25-year-old unemployed man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a 22-year-old woman on her left cheek with a razor blade, leaving a permanent 11-centimetre scar on her face because she rejected his marriage proposal in Borivali on Wednesday evening. The woman has been administered 22 stitches on her face, while the man has been arrested on charges of criminal intimidation and attempt to murder.
According to the Borivali police, the victim, Jagruti Sawant, and the arrested accused, Mayur Bhatawale, are residents of different chawls in the Kulupwadi area situated next to the Western Express Highw-ay in Borivali (east).
They had a few common friends and met each other through the social networking site Facebook. Besides studying, Sawant was supporting her family economically by working at a beauty parlour off the Link Road in Borivali (west). Bhatawale on the other hand, has completed his HSC and worked as a newspaper vendor.
Over the period of 22 days, their friendship blossomed, following which Bhatawale proposed marriage to Sawant. However, Sawa-nt rejected his proposal, following which Bhata-wale started frequenting her workplace. He continued stalking her for 20-odd days and even intimidated her, asking her not to avoid him.
On the fateful evening, at around 7 pm, Bhata-wale armed with a blade stopped Sawant outside her parlour and slashed her on the cheek.
Senior police inspector, Narayan Khaire of Borivali police station said, “Acting on a tip-off, Bhatawale has been arrested under Section 307 (attempt to murder charges) and 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) under the Indian Penal Code. He was produced in a magistrate’s court and remanded to police custody till September 17. We have recovered the blade used by the accused in the murderous attempt.”