Pregnant woman, husband injured after boy pours paint thinner into bonfire; DCW alleges in-laws' role

A pregnant woman and her husband sitting by a bonfire sustained burns from its flames after a boy allegedly poured paint thinner into it in outer Delhi's Bawana, police said on Monday.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal, however, alleged that the woman was set ablaze by her in-laws and husband.

According to the police, the incident took place on Friday night when Khusboo, who is seven months pregnant, her husband Veer Pratap and a boy were sitting by a bonfire to keep themselves warm in the cold.

The fire was dying down and the boy poured paint thinner into it, causing it to suddenly spread. Khusboo sustained "superficial" burns on her face and limbs, while her husband sustained burns on his legs and left hand, the police said.

Also Read | Kanjhawala case: Accused knew woman was trapped under car, kept driving to avoid getting caught

Both of them are undergoing treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital, they said.

Khusboo's statement has been recorded in which she has stated that it was an accident, a senior police officer said.

Contrary to statements of Khusboo, her brother Sandeep has alleged that she was being harassed by her in-laws and was set ablaze by them, he said.

Khusboo had married Veer Pratap in August last year. Since less than seven years have passed since the marriage and her brother has also levelled allegations of harassment by her in-laws, the matter was brought to the notice of Narela's sub-divisional magistrate and her statement was recorded before the magistrate, he added.

The official copy of the victim's statement recorded before the magistrate are yet to be received and legal action will be taken based on it, police said.

Maliwal, however, said the woman's husband and in-laws set her ablaze after pouring petrol on her.

"In Bawana, the husband and in-laws of a seven months pregnant woman set her ablaze after pouring petrol on her. The woman sustained severe burn injuries and is now undergoing treatment at a hospital.

"We have issued a notice to Delhi Police. We are also providing all possible help to the victim. Crimes are increasing in Delhi," Maliwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

Meanwhile, the DCW claimed, "The woman has given statement before the SDM wherein she has clearly said that her husband has burnt her. She has said that he used to hit her after consuming alcohol.

"She also stated that her husband was trying to take her jewellery. But when she refused, a fight took place. Her husband tried to burn her using thinner but got partially burnt himself while doing so."