A 26 year-old woman, who was in a live-in relationship with a man, immolated herself at Gokare village in Devanahalli on Monday.
Sumitra had been living with Venkatesh, a coolie, and his wife Gangamma, for several years and she had a four year-old son from Venkatesh.
On Monday night, she poured kerosene and set herself ablaze in the kitchen. Unable to bear the pain, she started running and screaming and accidentally fell over two relatives sleeping on the floor in another room.
The two - Anthony, 23, Gangamma’s eldest son and Srinivasa Kumar, 17, Venkatesh’s nephew, suffered serious burns. Venkatesh, who attempted to douse the flames, suffered minor burns on his hands.
Condition critical
He rushed all the three to Victoria Hospital. While Sumitra died early Tuesday morning, Anthony suffered 50 per cent burns and Srinivasa Kumar 40 per cent burns. Their condition is said to be critical. Devanahalli police have registered a case and are investigating.
According to Venkatesh, Sumitra was suffering from chronic stomach pain which might have led her to take the extreme step.
The police, however, said that there were differences between Sumitra, Venkatesh and Gangamma.