Woman Allegedly Set On Fire By Husband For Failing To Conceive Child

KEY POINTS

A 32-year-old woman in India was allegedly doused with diesel and set on fire Sunday
The woman's husband and father-in-law allegedly committed the act because she hasn't conceived a child in 11 years
The husband, his father and his sister-in-law have been booked over the incident

A 32-year-old woman in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was allegedly doused with diesel and set on fire by her husband and father-in-law over her inability to conceive children.

The woman, identified as Reena, was in critical condition following the alleged attack that happened in Agra's Nai Basti locality late Sunday, The Times of India first reported, citing the woman's family. She is undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in the city after she was referred by the district hospital at Firozabad.

"She was beaten up and set ablaze by her husband and father-in-law," Reena's brother, Ashok Kumar, was quoted as saying by The Times of India, adding that a neighbor had informed them of his sister's situation.

The family of Reena's husband, identified as Ashu Kushwah, claimed the woman tried to commit suicide, according to Sirsaganj police station house officer Girish Gautam.

The officer said Kushwah's family alleged that the incident had been triggered by a fight regarding Reena talking over the phone with a relative.

Reena's family, however, alleged that Kushwah blamed his wife for failing to conceive a child in their 11-year marriage. Additionally, they claimed that Kushwah and his family allegedly continued to torture Reena even though the real cause of the problem was the husband’s low sperm count.

Kushwah had even been given Rs 4 lakh ($5,360) on the promise that he would treat Reena properly, the woman’s family claimed. The alleged harassment toward Reena, however, did not stop despite the dowry, the family said.

According to police, a primary investigation revealed that Reena had a troubled relationship with Kushwah and her in-laws for several years.

A first information report (FIR) under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder) has been registered against Kushwah, his father Pramod Kumar and his sister-in-law Sookhi at the Sirsaganj police station, which has jurisdiction over the area where the incident allegedly happened.

The incident is being investigated, officer Gautam said.