Woman who set herself on fire outside police post dies

Times News NetworkMohali: The 28-year-old woman who set herself on fire outside the Baltana police post in Zirakpur succumbed to burn injuries during treatment at PGI on Saturday morning. She had been struggling for life for 12 days after suffering 70% burns. Her family members alleged that she had been visiting the police post for several days seeking registration of a rape FIR but was turned away each time. On April 28, she approached the police again with her brother. He said police personnel scolded them and pushed them out of the premises without registering an FIR.Shortly afterwards, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the police post. She sustained around 70% burn injuries and was rushed to GMCH-32, Chandigarh. She was later referred to PGI, where doctors described her condition as very serious. Her video statement was also recorded at PGI in the presence of an SDM.After the incident, Zirakpur police registered an FIR on the woman's complaint and assigned the inquiry to a senior officer of SP rank. Police arrested the accused, who was remanded in judicial custody. The abetment to suicide section will be added in the case, police said. The victim's brother alleged that his sister was sexually assaulted by a man on pretext of marriage. He added that the accused also duped her of money worth lakhs. When police delayed registration of a case despite repeated visits, she took the extreme step, her brother said. When the incident came to light, Mohali deputy commissioner Komal Mittal ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed the SSP to conduct a thorough probe. The Punjab State Women's Commission also took suo motu cognisance of the case and sought a report from the DC and SSP. Later, a Baltana police post in-charge and the investigating officer were sent to police lines and a departmental inquiry was initiated.MSID:: 130978102 413 |