Kerala man arrested for setting daughter-in-law on fire, booked for attempt to murder

The 23-year-old victim is critical with over 60% burns and is undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Kottayam.

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In a shocking incident in Kottayam, a 58-year old man was arrested for pouring kerosene over his daughter-in-law and setting her on fire. The accused has been identified as Gopalan, a native of Udumbi in Karukachal.

According to the police who are investigating the case, the victim had been facing issues from Gopalan ever since she got married three years ago.

“She got married to her husband Gopan (30) in 2016. It was a love marriage. The couple had been living with Gopan’s parents in the same house ever since they got married. In their statement, the family has said they had been facing some personal issues. We are yet to confirm it this was a dowry harassment case,” the Karukachal police told TNM.

The victim, a 23-year-old girl who was working as a sales girl in a neighbouring store, was attacked on February 9 while she was returning home from work.

“The accused had poured kerosene on her, outside their house and then she was set ablaze,” the police added.

The survivor’s husband and mother-in-law shifted her to a local hospital in Karukachal from where she was taken to the the Medical College Hospital in Kottayam.

“She has suffered nearly 60% burns and is still in a critical condition,” the police added.

Over two weeks since the incident, the accused has been arrested by the police on Monday. A case of fire was initially registered and was altered to bring in sections 307 (attempt to murder), 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 498 A (husband or relative of a husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty).

“The accused was produced before the Changanassery district judicial first class magistrate and was remanded on Monday,” the police officer added.