Woman sets herself afire

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 27

A 19-year-old woman, who became pregnant allegedly after being raped by an autorickshaw driver, attempted suicide by setting herself ablaze in southeast Delhi's Pul Prahladpur area, according to police

The woman suffered 80 per cent burns and was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition.

According to a senior police official, the woman took the extreme step after she was told by the accused that he would not marry her. They were to get married on April 26.

The police have arrested the 24-year-old accused from his house in Sangam Vihar.

In the note, woman who is four-month pregnant, has accused him of repeatedly raping her for two-three years after promising marriage. In her statement, she told the police that she had known the accused for the last five years.

The woman used to play roles of different goddesses in 'jagran', a ritual consisting of song and dance in honour of deities. She met the accused in one such programme. Besides being an autorickshaw driver, the accused used to take part in 'jagrans'.

The woman alleged that the man's family members were opposed to their marriage. According to family members of the woman, she poured kerosene and set herself ablaze on Tuesday evening.