Woman immolates self in Paharganj, kin cry foul

A 43-year-old woman allegedly immolated herself at her house in the Paharganj area late Thursday night. The police said the deceased was identified as Babli Devi. 

However, her family has alleged that she was set ablaze by her husband, Sushil, and her son, Pashoo.

The incident came to light on Friday afternoon when a family member of Devi received a call from her neighbour, saying that she was admitted to the RML Hospital and was critical.

“We received a call in the morning that our aunt (Devi) is severely burnt and admitted to the RML hospital. By the time, we reached, we found that she was dead. Doctors told us that she had suffered almost 100 per cent burns,” said Devi’s nephew Kapil.

“Neighbours said they heard loud noise coming from my aunt’s house late Thursday night. She used to live with her husband and son in their one-room flat. She would often fall sick, but never harmed herself. She often complained to us how Sushil and Pashoo would abuse and mentally torture her,” said Kapil.

Sources said the victim had reportedly asked for a share for her married daughter in the property money. “This would often lead to quarrels in the house,” said a neighbour.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Paharganj police station and the police are questioning Sushil and his son. “So far, we are treating it as a suicide case. We are awaiting the post-mortem report to establish if she suffered any injury post she was burnt. Based on this, we will take further action,” said a senior police official.