Woman who set herself ablaze dies

A 28-year-old housewife, who had set herself ablaze at her residence in Kamakshipalya on Saturday evening, died on Sunday.

The victim has been identified as Jayalakshmi. She was married to Marichikke Gowda, an autorickshaw driver. On Saturday, the victim’s brother asked her for some money. The woman asked Gowda to give money to her brother.

But Gowda refused to give the money and this led to an altercation. Jayalakshmi went to the autorickshaw, which was parked outside the house and took out a bottle of petrol kept inside it.

She threatened that she would set herself on fire is he does not oblige. Gowda said he would not be cowed down by the threat.

Soon, Jayalakshmi poured petrol over herself and a few drops of it fell on the lamp kept nearby, in the puja room, resulting in a fire. The fire engulfed the woman’s body.

A police official said, “Her husband, who tried to rescue her, also suffered burn injuries, up to 80 per cent. He is being treated at Victoria Hospital. The chances of his survival are bleak.” A case has been registered and investigation is on.