Kendrapara: A woman in Kendrapara district died after she was set ablaze by her in-laws over dowry demands, police said Monday. The woman in her late 20s died at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack while undergoing treatment Monday. She was identified as Bharati Swain, a resident of Balisuan village under Marshaghai police station in Kendrapara district.
Police said Bharati Swain’s in-laws tied her up, locked her in a room, poured kerosene on her and set her aflame Sunday night.
Police said Bharati Swain had married Nirmala Swain of Balisuan village May 24, 2017. Her family gave `1 lakh as dowry and other articles. After the marriage her mother-in law and four sisters-in-law, tortured her demanding another `50,000 from her father as her husband was away working in Chennai. At around 10 pm Sunday, an argument broke out between Bharati and her mother-in-law Saraswati Swain, 55, and sisters-in-law.
The argument soon turned violent and her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law tied her hands and legs. Later, they poured kerosene and set her afire after taking her baby from her. Bharati shouted for help, but by the time villagers rescued her she had suffered 80 per cent burns. Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. Bharati was rushed to the district headquarters hospital, and was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital where she died.
Bharati gave a dying declaration to the villagers while she was being taken to hospital. The video of her dying declaration went viral on social media later.
Police Sunday nabbed Bharati’s mother-in-law and sisters-in-law Basanti Swain, 35, and Sukanti Swain, 22.
Her brother, Rashmi Ranjan Das lodged an FIR at Marshaghai PS. A hunt is on to nab Bharati’s two other sisters-in-law.
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