Woman set on fire by alcoholic husband, battles for life

A 30-year-old woman is battling for life after her "drunkard" husband allegedly doused her with kerosene and set on fire at Pahadishareef here following an argument over preparing omelette, police said today. The incident occurred on Sunday when Naresh, an auto-rickshaw driver, came home in an "inebriated" condition and directed his wife Sandeshamma to prepare omelette, Pahadishareef Police Station Inspector V V Chalapathi said. "...there seems to have been some argument over preparation of omelette and the angry (husband) allegedly poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze," the Inspector said based on dying declaration of the woman. The woman, who has suffered over 90 per cent burn injury is undergoing treatment at a hospital and her condition is very critical, the police officer said, adding they have registered a case under 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and launched a hunt to nab Naresh, who is absconding. As per preliminary information, Naresh, who is an alcoholic, used to regularly harass his wife, the Inspector said.