Husband of pregnant woman who died in Perambra car fire succumbs to injuries

Kozhikode: Husband of the pregnant woman, who died after the car in which she was travelling caught fire at Kakkaramukku in Cheruvannur, Perambra, succumbed to burn injuries on Saturday.

The case pertains to the incident in which Sona, 28, died after suffering burn injuries last Friday. Her husband Rejinlal, who sustained around 60% burns, succumbed to the injuries on Saturday. Body would be handed over to the kin after an autopsy on Sunday.

According to sources, police obtained evidence which raises suspicions regarding the woman’s alleged role in the incident.

Sona died on the spot while Rejinlal suffered severe burn injuries and had been undergoing treatment. Sona was sitting in the rear seat of the car driven by Rejinlal. Preliminary investigation ruled out short circuit or engine failure as the cause of fire. Forensic examination detected traces of petrol and police recovered the remains of the cap of a petrol can from the rear of the vehicle.

Police later recovered CCTV visuals from a petrol pump at Naduvannur near Perambra, showing a woman resembling Sona purchasing petrol in a plastic can on the day of the incident. According to sources, Rejinlal stated that he noticed the smell of petrol coming from the rear side of the car and asked Sona about it. Soon after, the vehicle was engulfed in flames that reportedly spread from the rear portion.