Sri Vijaya Puram, June 10: A 36-year-old man has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody after allegedly setting his live-in partner on fire following a domestic dispute at Garacharma, leaving the woman with serious burn injuries.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 12.30 pm on June 9 at a rented house occupied by the couple. Investigators said the incident was preceded by an argument over the main door of the house allegedly being left open.
During the altercation, the accused allegedly assaulted the woman before the situation escalated. Police said that when the woman attempted to leave the house with her belongings, the accused allegedly poured diesel on her and her luggage and set her ablaze using a lighter.
Investigators further alleged that after igniting the fire, the accused shut the door of the house, restricting the victim’s ability to escape.
The incident came to light after a neighbour reportedly heard screams coming from the house. On noticing the woman engulfed in flames, the neighbour immediately raised an alarm, prompting local residents to rush to the scene.
Neighbours managed to rescue the victim and extinguish the fire before she was shifted for emergency medical treatment.
The injured woman was initially taken to District Hospital Garacharma. Owing to the severity of her burn injuries, doctors later referred her to GB Pant Hospital, for advanced treatment.
Following the incident, police launched an investigation and inspected the scene of occurrence. During the search, investigators recovered and seized a diesel container and a black lighter believed to have been used in the alleged offence.
Police said these items have been taken into evidence and will form part of the investigation.
The accused also sustained burn injuries during the incident and was admitted to District Hospital Garacharma for treatment. After receiving medical attention, he was formally arrested by police.
Authorities confirmed that the victim’s statement was recorded before an Executive Magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), an important procedural step in the investigation.
Medical Legal Certificates (MLCs) relating to both the victim and the accused have also been obtained by investigators.
Police have registered FIR at Pahargaon Police Station under Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials stated that evidence collected during the investigation has established a prima facie case against the accused.
The accused was subsequently produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.
Sources said further investigation is underway to establish all circumstances leading to the incident and to gather additional evidence related to the case.
The incident has shocked residents of the area, with neighbours being credited for their timely intervention that helped rescue the victim and ensure she received urgent medical care.
