A 21-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh, who was allegedly set on fire by her lover and his family following a relationship dispute on April 25, died from her severe burn injuries after fighting for her life for a week at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, police confirmed on Saturday.
Incident Details
According to authorities, the victim, identified as Kashish Meena, a resident of Murti Vihar in Shikarpur, had been in a romantic relationship with Ashish Meena, 24, a daily-wage worker from the same village in Bulandshahr's Ahmedgarh area, for three years. Both families were aware of the relationship and initially consented to their marriage. However, the relationship began to deteriorate after Ashish informed Kashish of his decision to get engaged to someone else.
Confrontation and Attack
When Kashish confronted Ashish, eyewitnesses reported that a heated argument broke out, during which Ashish's family members allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire. She was first taken to Community Health Centre Shikarpur, then to the district hospital, and later transferred to another medical facility due to her critical condition. A doctor at the district hospital in Bulandshahr stated that she had sustained burns covering over 90% of her body. She was eventually admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she succumbed to her injuries on Friday night.
Legal Proceedings
At Bulandshahr hospital, Kashish gave her statement to the police in the presence of Shikarpur's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Arun Verma. SDM Verma informed The Times of India that the woman's final statement had been recorded and kept confidential, and it would be presented before the court. Demanding justice for his daughter, Deepak Kumar, a farmer, said that all the accused should be severely punished.
Police Action
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (Bulandshahr) Dinesh Kumar Singh suspended local SHO Dharmendra Singh, two sub-inspectors, and a constable for not acting promptly on the case. An FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for murder will be registered against the accused, his brother Vivek Kumar, and three others, said Superintendent of Police (rural) Antriksh Jain on Saturday, adding that Ashish has been arrested.
