PATNA: A man threw acid on his wife and daughter suspecting illicit relation in a Madhubani village on Monday. The daughter, Rani Devi (30), succumbed to the burn injuries at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday, deputy superintendent Baleshwar Prasad said. Her mother Nago Devi (50) was struggling for life.
The incident took place at Tulapatganj under Araria Sangram outpost of Jhanjharpur police station area. The accused, identified as Satyanarayan Mahto (60), was arrested soon after the incident and sent to jail on Tuesday.
Madhubani SP Satya Prakash told TOI over phone that the accused had poured acid kept inside home for cleaning purpose on his wife and daughter. “The couple had bitter relationship and they often fought with each other,” he said.
Araria Sangram police outpost incharge Jitendra Sahni said police investigation revealed that Nago had allegedly an illicit relation with a person.
“This was the reason behind their quarrel for the last over 15 years. The woman didn’t allow Mahto to live at home,” Sahni said.
He said Mahto suddenly came at his residence on Monday and found his wife with the person who frequently visited her.
“Mahto suspected his wife had illicit relation with that person. The man immediately left the house but Mahto attacked Nago with acid in a fit of rage. When their daughter came in attempt to save her mother, she received maximum burn injuries,” he said. Sahni said Rani was married and had recently come home for a few days.
He said Mahto used to stay at the village temple and became its priest after his wife kicked him out of home. Sahni said the accused survived on the offerings made in the temple by the villagers.
The officer said the couple had a 24-year-old son Devnarayan Mahto, who rushed the duo to hospital.
“Villagers nabbed the accused and informed the police,” he said. Sahni said further investigation was going on in connection with the incident.