KOLKATA: A man burnt alive his wife and five of her relatives after they thwarted his attempt to marry his wife’s 14-year-old cousin in Keshpur’s Baripota village on Tuesday night. Five more family members, including the man’s three children, sustained burn injuries.
While the accused, Taher Ali, is absconding, his mother, sister-in-law and two relatives were arrested under Section 498A on an earlier complaint filed by Taher’s wife.
The deceased were identified as Taher’s wife Minara Bibi, mother-in-law Hasena Bibi, brother-in-law Sheikh Rajajul, Rajajul’s wife Monihara, their one-year-old son Reshma and Taher’s uncle-in-law Sheikh Asadul.
Among the five injured were Taher’s daughters – Muskan, 6, Ruskan, 4, and Rubina, 2 – and Minara’s cousin Tota Khatun, 14, and aunt Aspiya.
Minara’s brother Sheikh Asraful Ali alleged, “Taher tortured my sister for dowry and was eager to marry Tota.”
West Midnapore SP Sunil Chowdhury said an investigation has begun and four members of Taher’s family have been arrested.
Enraged over his in-laws’ objection to his bid to marry his sister-in-law, a man burnt alive his wife and five in-laws. They include his mother-in-law, uncle-in-law, brother-in-law and his wife and a child in Kespur’s Baripota village late on Tuesday night. Five more family members sustained burn wounds. All victims were sleeping in the verandah of their mud hut in the village. Taher Ali, the accused, is absconding.
Police recovered the bodies of Taher’s wife Minara Bibi,29, mother-in-law Hasena Bibi,52, brother-in-law Sheikh Rajajul, 26, Rajajul’s wife Monihara, 22, and one-year-old son Reshma. Taher’s uncle-in-law Sheikh Asadul succumbed to burn wounds in Kolkata’s PG hospital. Among the five injured were Taher’s daughter’s Muskan,6, Ruskan,4, and Rubina,2, Minara’as cousin Tota Khatun,14, and aunt Aspiya. While Tota and Aspiya have been referred to hospitals in Kolkata, Taher’s daughters have been admitted to Midnapore Medical College hospital.
Police has arrested Taher’s mother, sister-in-law and two relatives on charges under section 498A on an earlier complaint filed by Minara Bibi. The four arrested were produced in Midnapore court on Thursday and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. Police also detained a tractor Taher had acquired as dowry.
Taher’s brother-in-law Sheikh Asraful Ali alleged, “Ever since my youngest sister Minara married Taher eight years ago, he began torturing her and would often send her to us for dowry.” Asraful alleged that Taher was eager to marry Minara’s cousin Tota. But when her entire family objected, Taher telephonically threatened Minara last week that he would murder her family members, alleged Asraful. “We stayed awake for two nights in a row but fell asleep on Tuesday night,” said Asraful, adding that Taher first sprayed petrol on those sleeping in the verandah. At this stage, Haseena woke up and screamed aloud on seeing Taher who immediately set them ablaze.
West Midnapore SP Sunil Chowdhury said an investigation has begun and four members of Taher’s family have been arrested.
