Vinod Kumar Menon for Mid Day

Mumbai, Feb 5: Sukeshani Ghodke (19) survived a deep, almost-fatal gash, on her neck thanks to the doctors at Shreedevi Hospital, Kalyan, who operated on her for five long hours on Saturday February 4.

Sukeshani, a first year BA student at SNDT University, Kalyan, was assaulted with a pair of scissors by her cousin Manoj Ghodke (32) on Friday after she refused to pay him Rs 500.

Ghodke escaped with cash and jewellery while Sukeshani was lying in a pool of blood for over two hours at Haridarshan building, Kalyan (E) before the police arrived.

Surgeon Raghunath Khade was shocked when he saw a 4-cm-long sharp object in her X-ray — the edge of the scissors that had snapped when she was attacked. Sukeshani lost a lot of blood before she was taken for the emergency operation.

Sukeshani is now recovering in the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) of the hospital.

The Kolsewadi police have launched a manhunt to nab Manoj, who is absconding since the day of the attack.

The police have appealed to the public to share information about the accused with the Thane police control on 544 3535 / 2544 5353 / 2544 2121. 

What Sukeshani told Mid Day

On Friday around 12.45 pm, after my younger sister Manisha (18) left for her tuitions, someone rang the doorbell. I was alone at home, having lunch. I recognised my cousin Manoj and let him in. When I went to the kitchen, he came behind me and tried to strangle me with a wire.

He shouted, ‘Mereko paise chahiye, paise chahiye.’ I cried, ‘Meri jaan kyon lena chahte ho? Paise chahiye to main deti hoon’ and ran towards the balcony for help.

He suddenly stabbed me on my neck with a sharp weapon. I raised my hand to defend myself and my fingers got cut, I was in pain and bleeding profusely. I feared for my life and pretended to be dead. I saw him opening the cupboard and flee with cash and jewellery. I tried to write his name on the wall, but my fingers were cut and I could not.

After an hour the police arrived and I tried to tell them what had happened, but could not.

Manoj is unemployed. I had insulted him eight days ago by not allowing him to enter my house. I think he attacked me to avenge the insult. I am too scared to even look at him. I want him hanged.