MALDA: The failure to give birth to a son and the inability to fulfill her husband and in-laws’ demand for money cost a woman her life. She was burnt alive allegedly by her husband and in-laws in front of her minor daughters on Friday night. The victim, a resident of Khejurbona village , succumbed to her injuries on Saturday morning. The woman’s mother has lodged a complaint but the accused have gone into hiding.

The victim, Jahiran Biwi , married Serajul Islam, a labourer, seven years back. They had two daughters – Tamanna, 5, and Sahamida, 2.

Jahiran’s mother Aisanur Biwi said, “Since the birth of the younger daughter, my daughter was being tortured by her husband and in-laws. She was beaten up and abused for her failure to deliver a son.” The torture stopped for a while after complaints were made against Serajul at Malda police station.

Jahiran was also asked to get money from her parents to bring up the daughters. Initially, Aisanur met her son-in-law’s demand. “But a few days back, he demanded Rs 5,000 which was beyond our capacity. This triggered them to start torturing my daughter again,” the victim’s mother said.

On Friday, Jahiran was set ablaze in her house. Tamanna told police that her grandmother and aunt poured kerosene on her mother, while her father set Jahiran on fire.

While the daughters looked on helplessly, Jahiran ran out of the house with flames all over her body, crying for help. Her neighbours rushed to her rescue and rushed her to a hospital. Jahiran succumbed to her injuries on Saturday morning.

Aisanur lodged a complaint against Serajul, his parents Nemaj Ali and Salekha Biwi, his brothers Tinku and Rinku and sister Tajo.

Police have initiated a probe but nobody has been arrested yet.