Woman set on fire by husband succumbs to burn injuries in Varkala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A woman set on fire by her husband died of burn injuries. She has been identified as Leela (45) of Chavarcode in Varkala. Ashokan (59) allegedly poured kerosene over her and set her on fire on February 26 early morning. He has been remanded.

A verbal dispute broke out between the couple on that day. He then poured kerosene on her while she was sleeping. The couple’s daughter Anju and grand daughter were in the house at the time of the incident. Anju said that when she opened her eyes, she saw her father carrying a bottle of kerosene. She later saw her mother running out of the house crying loudly. She later doused the flames by pouring water and shifted her mother to the hospital with the help of her neighbours.

Ashokan had suffered a stroke a year ago and this had made him paralyzed. He recovered partially but is unable to go for work. Leela was running the family with the salary she earns from guarantee scheme. He had a feeling that his wife would ditch him and so committed the crime.