Woman attempts self-immolation near CM’s secretariat

LUCKNOW: A 48-year-old woman from Amethi attempted self-immolation near the chief minister’s secretariat at Lal Bahadur Shastri building here on Saturday afternoon, alleging inaction by police and Amethi administration in her complaint against her husband and in-laws. The woman’s seven-year old daughter was also present on the spot.

The policemen near the building foiled the woman’s attempt and sent her to Mahila Thana. She was later released and sent home after being assured that stern action would be taken on her complaint. The Amethi district officials were also informed about her demands.

The woman said she was running from pillar to post to lodge a complaint against her husband and father-in-law, who had been harassing her, but no action had been initiated.

District police spokesman Arun Kumar said the woman, Sunita Tewari, accompanied by her daughter Vaishanavi, 7, attempted self-immolation by pouring kerosene on her body. However, she was rescued with timely intervention of police personnel present around the building for security reasons, he said.

Kumar added that the woman was a resident of Shukul Bazaar, Amethi and had strained relations with her husband Raj Narain.

According to the allegations, the woman was thrown out of the house by her husband Raj Narain after he married another woman Kamla Devi around four years ago. She accused her husband and her father-in-law Jai Narain of harassing her. She said her elder son Shubham, 22, was also under his father’s influence.

She also alleged her husband and his second wife’s involvement in the mysterious disappearance of her elder daughter Vaashni, 17, a few months ago.

She demanded a probe in the matter and a maintenance allowance from her husband. The police spokesman said the Amethi district authorities had been informed to probe all allegations levelled by the woman and take necessary action.