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Daily News and Analysis

MUMBAI:A 25-year-old woman committed suicide by setting herself ablaze at her residence in Nizampura locality of Bhiwandi around 6: 30 am on the February 14.

The victim, Afsana Ansari, suffered 90 per cent burns on her body and was taken to the Thane Civil Hospital where she died on Monday evening, her 3-year-old daughter Kunuk who was along with her when she set herself ablaze also suffered 40 per cent burns.

According to Afsana’s parents, she was four months’ pregnant and she took the extreme step because her in-laws kept harassing her by asking for money from her parents.

Afsana was very well-natured woman and she would never have taken such an extreme step in her life. It is only because of her in-laws, who kept making demands for money from her, that she committed suicide. She might have been murdered by her in-laws because they were not allowing us to meet her elder daughter who was there at home when the incident took place,said Afsana’s mother Aqeela.

Afsana’s husband Akbar ran a powerloom at Bhiwandi and was not doing well in his business. When the incident took place, he was also home and tried to save her and suffered burns.

Nizampura police had earlier registered the case under sections 498 A, 323, 504, and 34 of IPC but after the death of Afsana and her unborn baby, section 306 (abetment to suicide) has also been registered against the accused.

Afsana’s brothers-in-law Akram and and Aslam have been arrested by the Nizampura police.

We are investigating the case and trying to find if there is any chance of murder, as of now, we have booked the two accused for dowry demand, threatening and abetment to suicide. The victim’s husband is also recuperating at the hospital and we will also speak to him said the investigating officer, HM More.