Mystery shrouds death of woman in Malda

Kolkata: Mystery shrouds the death of a woman who succumbed to her burn injuries after she was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital.

The victim was from South Dinajpur.

The victim's family members alleged that she was tortured and set on fire. However, police were told by her in-laws that she set herself on fire at their house on Friday night and her husband also received burn injuries while trying to save her. The victim's in-laws have told the police that she had committed suicide due to depression. Police are, however, investigating if there is any foul play behind the incident. According to police, the incident occurred at Doulatpur village of South Dinajpur. A senior police officer of South Dinajpur district said they have started an unnatural death case and they would probe into all possible angles of the incident.

The victim, Rajani Prasad (25), originally a resident of Malda Habibpur got married to one Santosh Prasad of Doulatpur around 5 years ago. The victim's family members have told the police that she had been subjected to both mental and physical torture by her in-laws. They said the accused used to demand money as dowry. The family members of the victim lodged a complaint at the local police station on the basis of which police started a probe. Police are recording the statements of the victim's parents. A police officer said even if they consider that the woman had committed suicide, then there must be a reason behind it. They are trying to know what had happened on the day of incident which led to the incident.