Onlykashmir.in News Desk
A 42-year-old woman died of burn injuries at a hospital in Jammu after her stepson allegedly set her on fire in Udhampur, police and officials said on Thursday. The accused has been arrested.
The incident took place in the Housing Colony area of Udhampur on Wednesday evening. The woman, identified as Sushma Devi, was allegedly attacked after her stepson sprinkled petrol on her and set her ablaze.
She was initially taken to a hospital in Udhampur. Given the severity of her injuries, she was referred to Government Medical College, Jammu, for specialised treatment, where she later succumbed.
Police have arrested the accused and registered a case in connection with the incident. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the motive behind it. No further details about what led to the attack have been made public so far, and the allegations against the accused remain to be tested in court.
Cases in which a person is set on fire cause some of the most severe injuries that medical teams deal with, and survival often depends on how quickly a patient reaches a facility equipped with burn care. In this case, the woman was first treated locally and then referred to the Government Medical College in Jammu, which has the facilities to handle serious burn injuries. Despite the referral, she could not be saved.
The incident took place in the Housing Colony area, and a swift and fair investigation will be important so that the facts are established and the family receives justice.
Police generally treat such allegations under the serious provisions of the law that deal with murder and attempts to cause grievous harm, depending on the findings of the investigation. Forensic examination of the spot, the statements of witnesses and the medical records will be important in establishing the sequence of events and the intent behind the act. Since the woman has died, the case is expected to be examined with particular care, including the circumstances in which she was taken to hospital.
Authorities and social organisations often stress that domestic disputes should be addressed through counselling, family elders and legal channels before they escalate into violence. For now, the focus remains on the investigation, which is expected to establish the motive and the full chain of events behind the death of Sushma Devi.
