Woman dies of burn injuries after being set on fire for rejecting marriage proposal in Bengaluru

A 41-year-old woman, who was set on fire by a man for rejecting his marriage proposal, succumbed to her injuries after fighting for survival for 20 days, police said.

The victim, Geetha, had sustained over 50% burn injuries. She died while undergoing treatment at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on January 6 night.

According to the police, the incident occurred at Bhovi Colony where Geetha was running a provision store. The accused, Muthu Abhimanyu 31, ran a tea stall in the same locality, and was known to the victim. After becoming acquainted, Geetha, her 19-year-old daughter, and the accused were living together in the same house, police said.

Investigations revealed that Muthu had been pressuring Geetha to marry him. When she refused, he allegedly poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in a fit of rage.

Geetha suffered severe burns and was immediately taken to Victoria Hospital where she was undergoing treatment. Despite efforts by doctors to save her, she succumbed to her injuries.

The Basaveshwaranagar police had registered a case and arrested the accused soon after the incident. Following Geetha’s death, the case has been converted from attempt-to-murder to murder.