MUMBAI: An elderly woman was assaulted and set on fire in Yevla constituency of Nashik district in Maharashtra for allegedly voting against some people’s wishes. The woman has suffered 65 per cent burns and is battling for life at the Nashik Civil Hospital.
In her original statement to the police Yebubai Vafale, 60, alleged that three people had forcefully entered her house at Babhulgaon on Thursday and thrashed her for voting for the “wrong” candidate. Then they doused her with kerosene before setting her ablaze.
Following the complaint, the police have detained three people-- Ashok Pornale, his brother Pandurang Pornale and Nandkishore Gorakh.
However, Yebubai later retracted her statement and claimed that she had suffered the burns while cooking food. “The pallu of my saree caught the fire while cooking the evening meal,” she told the police.
Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal is among those seeking election in Yevla.
According to a senior police officer, some unidentified people had asked Yebubai to press the voting button for Shiv Sena candidate Sambhaji Pawar, whose name was listed third on the EVM. However, Yebubai “wrongly” pressed the button for candidate number two -- Bhujbal.