Habitual offender held for brutal attack on woman in Malout

The police today claimed to have arrested a habitual offender who allegedly assaulted a woman with a sharp-edged weapon in Malout town’s busy Gurdwara Bazar on Thursday evening. During the arrest, he attempted to flee by jumping off a flyover and fractured his ankle, the police said.

The victim, Ashima, a resident of Malout Camp area, was attacked and ran into a salon to save herself, but the assailant struck her there as well. She was rushed to Civil Hospital, Malout, and later referred to AIIMS Bathinda owing to her injuries.

The police later identified the accused as Rohit Bathla alias Bhuchi, a resident of Malout, informed he has a history of quarrelling with neighbours. “The victim often intervened in such disputes, which enraged the accused and led to the assault,” said Malout DSP Iqbal Singh.

A case was registered at Malout City police station under Sections 118(1) and 109 of the BNS on Friday.

According to the police, the accused had earlier seven criminal cases against him, including two for attempt to murder, two for causing hurt and three under the Excise Act.