VELLORE: Barely three months into marriage, a teen set herself ablaze, harassed over dowry demands by her in-laws at Walajapet on Friday.
The police started investigation into the case after the victim’s step mother lodged a complaint following her suicide. Three months ago, Pavithra, who was pursuing second year diploma nursing in a private college at Banavaram near Arakkonam, was married to Ashok Kumar, (26) of Walajapet, a daily wage labourer in Chennai.
Police sources said, “The victim was reportedly harassed by her husband, father-in-law Angamuthu and mother-in-law Vannilla over dowry demands.” Unable to bear the treatment meted out to her, Pavithra allegedly immolated herself on Friday. Ashok Kumar informed her step-mother, Selvarani(35) over phone that Pavithra had committed suicide, the reason for which is unknown.
Smelling foul play on the part of her in-laws, Selvarani filed a complaint in Walajapet police station on Saturday. A case was registered under Section 174 of Indian Penal Code. The case was transferred to Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Ranipet. Based on the RDO report, further action would be taken, a police official said.
Suffers Burns
A 21-year-old woman suffered burns while cooking over a kerosene stove on Friday evening.
Bhavani, wife of Kumaresan of Sathuvachari in Vellore, suffered burns from the stove.
Alerted by her cries Kumaresan rushed to the spot, put out the fire and hospitalised her at Rengapuram Government Hospital with 70 per cent burns. She was later referred to the Government Vellore Medical College and Hospital on the same evening.
A case was registered in Sathuvachari police station and investigations are on.