Pune: Candlelight Vigil for Acid Attack Victim Harshalata Solanki Demands Swift Justice
Reported by Radhika Sharma
Viman Nagar, 12th June 2026: A candlelight vigil was held in Pune this week to demand justice for Harshalata Sunil Solanki, the 21-year-old acid attack survivor who succumbed to her injuries weeks after she was allegedly attacked by her former partner.
The vigil, organised by Chhanv Foundation at SHEROES Hangout Café in Viman Nagar, brought together acid attack survivors, activists, and concerned citizens. Participants called for stricter action against perpetrators of acid violence and stronger measures to protect women facing stalking, harassment, and threats.
Harshalata, a native of Todangala village in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district, was allegedly attacked in the early hours of May 20 while returning home from work with her colleague and partner, Adarsh Sanjay Pande.
According to police records and information shared by activists, Harshalata had ended her relationship with the accused, Shriram Madhu Saranvar, in late 2025. Following the breakup, he allegedly continued to stalk and threaten her, prompting her to leave her hometown and seek refuge elsewhere.
Harshalata had reportedly filed a complaint against him in Bhopal before relocating to Pune in March this year in an attempt to escape the alleged harassment. In Pune, she began working at The Miller Bar and Restaurant and was residing on Tadiwala Road.
However, activists allege that the accused tracked her down in Pune and continued to threaten her.
Police said that around 1.45 am on May 20, Harshalata and Adarsh were walking home from work near Janata Vidyalaya School when the accused allegedly approached them from behind and threw acid at the couple before fleeing the scene.
Harshalata suffered severe burns to her neck, back, and legs, while Adarsh also sustained significant burn injuries while attempting to intervene and stop the attack.
Both victims were rushed to Sassoon General Hospital for emergency treatment. Subsequently, the Bundgarden Police registered an FIR against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
As her condition deteriorated, Harshalata was shifted to the National Burn Centre in Mumbai for specialised treatment. She later succumbed to her injuries, leading investigators to add murder charges to the case.
Speaking at the candlelight vigil, Chhanv Foundation founder Alok Dixit said the case underscored the continuing threat posed by stalking and acid violence against women.
Participants observed a minute’s silence in Harshalata’s memory and demanded a speedy trial, strict punishment for the accused, and stronger implementation of laws aimed at preventing acid attacks.
Several acid attack survivors who attended the event said Harshalata’s death should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to act more decisively in cases involving repeated harassment and threats against women.
The incident has once again drawn attention to acid violence in Maharashtra. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the state recorded 38 cases of acid attacks and attempted acid attacks between 2016 and 2023. The highest number was reported in 2022, when eight such cases were registered. NCRB data for 2024 and 2025 is yet to be released.
Chhanv Foundation, which works for the rehabilitation and empowerment of acid attack survivors, recently launched its SHEROES Hangout Café in Pune. The organisation said it would continue advocating for justice in Harshalata’s case while supporting survivors of acid violence across the state.
