Agartala, May 9 (UNI): Police have launched investigation into the death of a 30-year-old housewife and mother of two children, who was allegedly burnt alive by her in-laws in Brajendranagar village of Madhupur area in Sepahijala district in the late hours of Tuesday.
Based on the information from the neighbours, on Wednesday morning police recovered charred body of Anumati Sarkar (Chowdhury) early in the morning under a tree near her house. An empty drum of kerosene oil, match box and half-burnt pieces of cloth were also recovered from the spot.
Although victim’s father lodged a complaint against five members of her matrimonial family, except her husband Tinku Chowdhury, charging them of homicide, police and forensic experts are not yet convinced with the allegation and are not ruling out suicide.
District police officials said all the accused persons are under the strong police surveillance and will be arrested if necessary.
“The victim was married nine years ago and apparently it is not a case dowry death. We are carefully investigating the case and hopefully will be reaching the conclusion soon,” police said.
However, Anumati's family has alleged that she had to face problems in her matrimonial home over dowry, right from the beginning of her marriage. Allegedly, she was tortured by her in-laws, and her husband could not protect her. Sometimes he, too, was harassed by his family members if he objected to the torture on his wife.
“On Tuesday night, the family had a serious fight with Anumati. Later her in-laws tied her with a tree, covered her face and set her on fire after pouring kerosene oil on her. She was burnt alive and part of the tree and grass was also burnt, which indicates a clear case of homicide,” alleged victim’s father Matilal Sarkar.
Nullifying the suicide theory of police, Sarkar argued: “Had she set herself on fire, at least neighbours and family members would hear her distress calls and she would not have remained confined to a spot. Since she was tied to the tree with her face covered, the accused persons ensured her death.”
One of her neighbours raised alarm early in the morning after he smelled burnt human flesh and informed the police.
Today, the villagers assembled together and demonstrated in front of the local police station seeking action against the culprits.
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