Bargaon/Baripada: A 23-year-old woman, who was set on fire after being raped by her father-in-law, succumbed to burn injuries while undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand Saturday night.
Even as the police have arrested the accused Ramgopal Khemka (55), father-in-law of the accused, the victim’s husband Abinash, mother-in-law Sunita Khemka and sister-in-law Payal are on the run.
As per the FIR lodged by the victim’s father, Khemka had blackmailed and raped her on several occasions just one month after the marriage. Even as the victim remained silent, fearing public stigma, she had earlier narrated her ordeal to husband Abinash.
As per the FIR, her father-in-law allegedly attacked and outraged her modesty.
Though Abinash was well aware of his father’s evil intentions, he did little to save her. Two days before the incident, she had texted Khemka’s heinous activities to her cousin brother.
On the fateful day, Khemka sent his family to Hyderabad on the pretext of his daughter’s eye treatment. After the family’s departure, he stayed back along with the victim and forced her for physical intimacy. When the victim threatened to report the matter, he set her ablaze by sprinkling kerosene, the complaint said.
Khemka, a builder and businessman, has been arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by the victim’s parents.
“We have begun an investigation into the incident. A case has been registered against him under various sections of IPC,’’ said Mayurbhanj additional superintendent of police (ASP) Ashok Patnaik.
PNN