HYDERABAD: An alcoholic from Bibi Nagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad allegedly set his wife and daughter ablaze on Monday night, suspecting that his pregnant wife might give birth to another girl child.
Savitri (25) and her elder daughter (6) died instantly while the second daughter is still alive. Police are hunting for the absconding accused and registered a case of murder.
According to Rachakonda police, B Shankar Naik, a farmer from Raavipaadu Thanda, was married to Savithri (25) for seven years. They had two daughters aged six and five.
The couple allegedly frequently quarreled on the issue of Savitri giving birth to two girl children and it reportedly increased with Shankar becoming an alcohol addict.
Recently, Savithri became pregnant and Shankar, apprehensive about having another girl child allegedly used to harass his wife. On Monday night, Shankar went home heavily drunk and picked up an argument with his wife, before going to sleep. His younger daughter (5) slept with him, while Savithri and their elder daughter Sridevi slept separately.
At around 2 am, Shankar allegedly took a kerosene tin and poured it on his wife and daughter and set them ablaze. The duo died instantly. Hearing their screams, neighbours rushed, only to see the two victims engulfed in flame.
The younger girl was safe and was with her relatives. A murder case has been registered and a search was on to nab absconding Shankar, said police.