MEERUT: Enraged over a rejected marriage proposal, a 22-year-old man allegedly broke into a house in Madhapur village, Hapur, and attacked a 21-year-old woman and her 19-year-old sister with acid while they slept on Sunday.The victims, who sustained burn injuries to their hands and shoulders, were initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to a medical facility in Meerut. Officials said both women are currently in stable condition. The suspect, Harsh Bhati, a resident of Awas Vikas Colony, was arrested.According to the victims' father, Roshan, the family had previously agreed to marry his elder daughter to Bhati.

However, they recently called off the alliance after discovering Bhati's heavy drinking and behavioural issues. "He was angry over the decision and threatened us. We never imagined that he would attack my daughters with acid while they were sleeping," Roshan told police.The attack occurred around 2 am, waking the family to the victims' screams. Police responded to a Dial-112 emergency call at approximately 3 am after the incident.

Garhmukteshwar CO Rahul Yadav stated, "The accused has been taken into custody and legal proceedings are underway." An FIR has been filed. Police are currently interrogating Bhati to trace the source of the acid and determine the circumstances surrounding the crime.