In a shocking case where gender bias and superstition came together, a pregnant woman from Andhra Pradesh’s Nellor was attacked with acid, for the likelihood of giving birth to a girl child. Acid was thrown on 28-year-old Girija's stomach by her in-laws on August 19 while she was sleeping. Girija who was taken to a hospital by neighbours suffered nearly 30 per cent burns and is now recovering. The case came to light after she filed a police complaint against her in-laws. Girija’s husband and father-in-law have been arrested on charges of attempt to murder.

According to Girija her ordeal started after her mother-in-law Lakshmi Kantamma took her to an astrologer last month. After the astrologer 'predicted' that Girija will give birth to a girl child Lakshmi allegedly started harassing her, demanding that she bring money from her parents.

Girija who was married to Sriramalu in 2014 already has a one-and-a-half year old daughter. Police are also reportedly looking into what acid was used and its source as open sale of it has been banned, due to the increasing number of attacks.

According to the 2011 census Andhra Pradesh has a child sex ratio of 939 for every 1000 male child.