A 48-year-old widow doused herself with kerosene and “attempted” self-immolation at the main entrance of the Tirunelveli Collectorate on Monday accusing the police of failing to bring to book those responsible for her daughter’s death two years ago. Bystanders and the police, who were frisking visitors at the entrance, thwarted her attempt by pouring water on her.
It may be recalled that in October last, the Tirunelveli Collectorate had witnessed the gruesome immolation of a family of four including two children.
Maheshwari, a resident of Maavadikal, had come to the Collectorate as Monday is the grievance redressal day.
The police took the kerosene-soaked woman to Collector Sandeep Nanduri who was receiving petitions from the public at the District Development Council Hall. She told him that her 19-year-old daughter Devi Ganga had fallen in love with one Balasubramanian of Kadayanallur and married him.
In January 2016, when Devi was eight-months’ pregnant, Mr. Balasubramanian had called Ms. Maheshwari saying her daughter had died.
Ms. Maheshwari alleged that Devi was tortured and killed as she could not meet her in-laws’ demand for transfer of ownership of her house to Mr. Balasubramanian.
Though she had petitioned the Superintendent of Police 11 times and the Collector thrice demanding registration of case and the arrest of the culprits involved in the “murder” of her daughter, no proper action was taken. Besides, she alleged that the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kadayanallur, harassed her.
“Balasubramanian married another girl on Sunday. I am still running from pillar to post for justice. Since my repeated attempts to get justice went in vain, I tried to immolate myself,” she told the Collector.
Mr. Sandeep asked the police to register a case immediately and conduct proper enquiry.
