AHMEDABAD: A man stormed into his wife’s beauty parlour in Kubernagar, doused her and his mother-in-law with petrol, and set them ablaze in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
The wife died during treatment, while the mother-in-law is battling for her life with 70% burns.
The accused, who also sustained burns, has been arrested and kept under police guard at the hospital.
The accused, Ashok Rajput, barged into the parlour around 6 pm carrying a bucket of petrol. A heated argument broke out with his wife, which quickly escalated when her mother intervened. In a fit of rage, Ashok poured petrol on both women and set them on fire, before fleeing the scene.
Bystanders tried to save the victims by pouring water on the burning mother and daughter and rushed them to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
Doctors fought to save them, but the wife succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
The mother-in-law remains in critical condition with 70% burns. The Sardarnagar police were immediately informed, and the Police launched a manhunt. Within hours, Accuse Ashok was arrested.
“The accused tried to burn his wife and mother-in-law alive during a violent domestic dispute. He has been arrested and is currently under treatment for burn injuries, kept under strict police guard,” said a Police Official.
Investigations revealed a deeply troubled relationship.
The victim, divorced five years ago, had entered into a love relationship with Ashok and married him just four months ago. However, frequent fights erupted soon after their marriage. Ashok, a casual labourer who often stayed with his in-laws, was unhappy when his wife recently started living separately after a major dispute.
Though there had been a temporary reconciliation, tensions remained high, culminating in Tuesday’s deadly attack. Police have registered a case of murder and attempted murder. Meanwhile, the city remains shaken by the brutal act, with locals demanding strict punishment for the accused.