LUCKNOW: Panic gripped pedestrians near Deen Dayal park in SGPGI police station area when a 25-year-old woman immolated herself in full public view.
The woman stepped down from a two-wheeler, took a short stroll before suddenly pouring petrol and igniting herself in a fraction of a second.
Police said the woman died of burns but could not ascertain the reason for her taking the extreme step.
The incident took place around 6.30pm and the deceased was identified by 10.30pm as Saumya Kashyap. She was pursuing BTech from a private engineering college in the city.
“A woman reached the park on a two-wheeler and stepped down. Suddenly, we saw that she started sprinkling petrol on herself. Before people nearby could react and interven, she set herself afire,” said SO, SGPGI, Ashish Dwivedi.
“The flames engulfed her and she was charred while screaming in pain. Many passersby tried to douse the flames by throwing sand and water on her while someone called the fire department and police. A police team reached and rushed her to Civil hospital where she was declared brought dead,” the SO added.
The two-wheeler was found registered in the name of Seema Kashyap, the mother of the deceased, a resident of Sitapur.
“We are trying to ascertain the motive behind her taking the extreme step,” the SHO added.