A 19-year-old biotechnology student from Tripura is fighting for her life at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital after being subjected to three days of horrific torture by her live-in partner. The accused, identified as Shivam (19), a resident of Narela, Delhi, was arrested on February 20, 2026, following a daring rescue mission triggered by the victim’s secret phone call to her mother.
The assault reportedly began on February 16 in their rented flat in Badshahpur. According to the FIR, Shivam brutally thrashed the woman, smashing her head against walls and furniture, hitting her with a steel bottle and an earthen pot, and cutting her legs with a knife. The brutality peaked when he allegedly poured alcohol-based hand sanitizer on her private parts and set them on fire, reportedly filming the act on his phone.
A Secret Call for Help
The victim was kept in wrongful confinement for two days. On the night of February 18, she managed to access Shivam’s mobile phone while he was distracted.
- The Bengali SOS: She called her mother in Tripura and narrated the ordeal in Bengali—a language Shivam does not understand—to ensure he wouldn’t realize she was calling for help.
- The Rescue: Her mother immediately contacted the emergency helpline 112. Gurugram police reached the Sector 69 PG accommodation shortly after, rescued the woman, and rushed her to the Sector 10 government hospital.
Current Status and Investigation
Initially declared “unfit to give a statement” due to the severity of her internal and external injuries, the survivor was transferred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. On Sunday, February 22, police confirmed she had been deemed fit to testify and a detailed statement has been recorded.
| Accused | Victim | Key Charges (BNS) |
| Shivam (19) | 19-year-old student (Tripura) | Section 69 (Sex on false promise of marriage) |
| Resident of Narela | GD Goenka University Student | Section 115 (Voluntarily causing hurt) |
| Status: Arrested | Status: Stable but Critical | Section 118 (Hurt by dangerous weapons) |
Legal and Medical Concerns
While the police have invoked serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the victim’s family and lawyer, Reena Rai, have expressed dissatisfaction. They are demanding that Attempt to Murder (Section 109) and Rape charges be formally added to the FIR, citing the extreme cruelty and the medical confirmation of sexual assault.
The police have stated that additional charges will be added once the final medical legal report (MLR) and doctor’s opinions are officially submitted.