A 22-year-old woman was attacked by her alleged lover who poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in Lalaguda on Thursday evening.
The victim, identified as Sandhya Rani, was working in a company at Shanti-Nagar, manufacturing aluminium doors. She suffered 70 per cent burns and was being treated at Gandhi Hospital.
The attacker, Karthik, had known her for over a year and claimed to be in love with her, said sources. “She had been declining his proposals saying it was against her family values and that they could remain friends,” a Lalaguda police officer said.
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After she turned down his offers to take her out, Karthik decided to murder her. Karthik has been detained, sources said, Asian Age reported.
On Thursday evening, while she was heading for home, Karthik approached her in a bike and doused her in petrol that he had carried in a bottle, set her on fire on the main road and fled.
“The incident happened in a jiffy and before we realised what was happening, she was engulfed in flames,” said an eyewitness.
Locals acted instinctively, doused the fire and rushed her to Gandhi Hospital, where her condition is said to be critical.
Sandhya’s mother, who was waiting for her daughter at home, was devastated after hearing the news. “She was my youngest daughter and had always been a hard worker. We don’t know anything about Karthik,” she said.
On a complaint, the Lalaguda police booked a case against Karthik and formed teams to track him. He was later taken into custody.
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