A 28-year-old woman, who set herself on fire outside the Baltana police post in Zirakpur, succumbed to her burn injuries during treatment at PGIMER on Saturday morning. She had been fighting for her life for 12 days after sustaining 70% burns.
Family Alleges Police Inaction
According to her family, the woman had been visiting the police post for several days seeking the registration of a rape First Information Report (FIR), but was repeatedly turned away. On April 28, she approached the police again, accompanied by her brother. He claimed that police personnel scolded them and physically pushed them out of the premises without registering an FIR.
The Incident
Shortly after being turned away, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the police post. She suffered approximately 70% burn injuries and was initially rushed to GMCH-32 in Chandigarh. Later, she was referred to PGIMER, where doctors described her condition as very serious. Her video statement was recorded at PGIMER in the presence of a Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
Police Action and Probe
Following the incident, Zirakpur police registered an FIR based on the woman's complaint and assigned the inquiry to a senior officer of Superintendent of Police rank. The accused was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Police stated that the abetment to suicide section will be added to the case.
The victim's brother alleged that his sister was sexually assaulted by a man on the pretext of marriage. He further claimed that the accused also duped her of money worth lakhs of rupees. When police delayed the registration of a case despite repeated visits, she took the extreme step, he said.
Official Inquiries Ordered
When the incident came to light, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal ordered an inquiry and directed the Senior Superintendent of Police to conduct a thorough probe. The Punjab State Women's Commission also took suo motu cognisance of the case and sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner and SSP. Subsequently, the Baltana police post in-charge and the investigating officer were sent to police lines, and a departmental inquiry was initiated.
