Woman dies of burn injuries, dowry harassment suspected

A 25-year-old woman died after suffering from burns in North-east Delhi’s Seemapuri area, while her parents claimed dowry harassment by in-laws, police said on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Nagma, they said.

Her parents have alleged that she was burnt to death by her in-laws over dowry although the in-laws claim that Nagma apparently had set herself on fire.

According to the version by the Nagma’s in-laws, they had doused the flames and rushed Nagma to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital where she succumbed to her burn injuries at 6 on Wednesday, said a senior police official.

“Nagma’s brother said that her in-laws called him at 3.30 PM and informed that she had received severe burn injuries following which her family members reached the hospital where Nagma died after some time,” the official said.

The matter was brought to the notice of the local police.

Also, the areas sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was informed about Nagma’s death after which a probe was initiated by the SDM.

“Nagma’s parents alleged that her in-laws have been harassing her for dowry since their marriage and had set her afire after they could not fulfill his demands. They were demanding cash and a car,” said the officer.

Nagma’s body was handed over to her family members after autopsy.

Nagma was married to one Mohammad Kasim, a taxi driver.

They got married on April 8, 2012. The couple has a two-year-old daughter. Nagma lived with her husband and in-laws at their home in Old Seemapuri.