ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Couple set afire by family in Bombay suburbs

A newly-married couple were set afire on the streets of Ulhasnagar, in central Bombay, yesterday by the girl's family members. They apparently were opposed the marriage.

The Thane police said Pinki Dusehja (19) fell in love with her neighbour Kamlesh Keshwani (28), a pav bhaji vendor in their locality. Despite stiff opposition from her family, Pinki and Kamlesh got married at the registrar's office and went off to stay at the Paroni society in Ulhasnagar.

The girl's mother and three brothers allegedly came there and dragged the couple out, poured kerosene on them and set them ablaze.

Though many people on that locality witnessed it, nobody came to the rescue of the couple. Shopkeepers who saw the incident, closed down shutters and ran away, the police said.

Both Pinki and Kamlesh received 50 per cent burn injuries. They were transferred to the Central Hospital at Ulhasnagar and later to the Sion Hospital in Bombay.

The police have arrested the girl's mother and two of her brothers, one of whom received burn wounds and was also admitted to hospital. The third brother had fled and the police are hunting for him.

The incident occurred a few minutes after the couple had returned from the police station where they had filed a complaint. They anticipated from Pinki's family members, the police said.

Tell us what you think of this report