Harassed wife torches self

MUMBAI, July 28: A housewife at Napean Sea Road burnt herself to death following a scuffle with her husband on Saturday evening.According t...

MUMBAI, July 28: A housewife at Napean Sea Road burnt herself to death following a scuffle with her husband on Saturday evening.

According to the police, the couple, Kamlesh V Mayeker (33) and wife Kirti (26), was staying in the servants’ quarters of Mistry Manohar building at Malabar Hill. They had a strained relationship due to the husband’s drinking habit. Regular quarrels between them was a common sight, neighbours informed.Investigating officer, police sub-inspector Sanjay Govilkar informed that Kamlesh was an alcoholic and used to severly assault his wife who suffered mental abuse also. Married 10 years ago and father of three children, he forcibly took utensils from the house on Saturday and sold them to pay for his liquor bills, Govilkar added.

On Saturday evening when Kamlesh returned home, a heated discussion took place between husband and wife on this matter which led to a fight following which harassed Kirti sprinkled turpentine oil on her body and set herself on fire. By the time neighbours assembled to rescue her, Kirti had already received sever burns. Immediately, Kirti was rushed to J J Hospital, where doctors declared her dead before admission. Police sources said that Kamlesh also received minor burn injury when he tried to save his wife. “Kirti had received 100 per cent burns and there was no chance of her survival,” said police sources.

A local resident at Napean Sea Road said, “Kirti was a polite women who worked as a maid servant. But her husband used to treated her very roughly and beat her up. The constant fights took toll of the harassed wife pushing her to end life.” The Malabar Hill police station has registered a case of murder against Kamlesh. Further investigations in the matter are in progress.