Dalit woman in UP set on fire over ₹20K loan payment dispute

VARANASI: A Dalit woman was set afire allegedly by two local moneylenders following a dispute over repayment of loan in Jajauli Number 1 village of Ballia district early on Friday, police said.

The woman, identified as Reshami, 40, sustained 60% burns and is undergoing treatment in Varanasi, they said.

Superintendent of police Anil Kumar, who recorded her statement, said police had arrested moneylenders Satyam Singh and Sonu Singh. “A case has been registered. Further probe is on,” he said.

A police official said Reshami told Kumar that she had borrowed ₹20,000 from Satyam and Sonu and repaid the amount with interest. She alleged that despite repayment, the men kept demanding more money.

Reshami told Kumar that she was sleeping under a thatch about 100m away from her house when two people doused her with kerosene and set her afire. Her relatives informed police that they rushed to the spot hearing her screams and shifted her to the district hospital. Quoting a doctor, police said the woman had suffered 60% burns and was referred to Varanasi as her condition was critical.

MAN KILLS WIFE, GIRLS OVER ALLEGED AFFAIR

LUCKNOW: A man from Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district killed his wife and two daughters over suspicions that his wife was having an affair with a neighbour, police said on Friday. The incident took place at the Chakla Guru Baba village.

The accused, Ajit, attacked his wife, 32-year-old Maina Devi, with a knife and slit her throat. He then killed his two daughters, Pinki, 6, and Nandini, 8, in a similar manner. Ajit’s father Daya Ram tried to overpower his son but the accused managed to fleeAjit later surrendered to police.