Patna horror: Man sets ex-wife, in-laws on fire 15 days after woman’s second marriage

PATNA: A man allegedly set his ex-wife, her in-laws and a child on fire in Patna City on Wednesday morning, barely 15 days after her second marriage. Five people, including the accused, sustained severe burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at NMCH.

Police have taken the accused into custody and further investigation is underway.

According to police, the accused, Kanhai Kumar of Patna City, reached the house of his ex-wife Munni Devi’s new in-laws in Raja Babu Khatu Shyam Gali around 10.15am carrying bottles filled with petrol. He allegedly poured the inflammable liquid on family members and set them ablaze.

The injured were identified as Munni Devi, her father-in-law Purushottam Agarwal, mother-in-law Neelam Devi and a three-year-old child. Kanhai Kumar also suffered burn injuries during the incident. All five are admitted to the NMCH and their condition is stated to be critical, police said.

Munni’s second husband, Govind Agarwal, said, “Kanhai used to beat Munni, after which she divorced him. Munni married me 15 days ago in April.”

Govind alleged that Kanhai had taken Rs3.47 lakh from them for the divorce and was demanding more money. “Before the incident, he called me and asked where I was. I said I was at the office. Taking advantage, he entered the house and set everyone on fire,” Govind said.

Police recovered a petrol bottle from the lane near the house.

Neighbours said flames were seen rising from Govind’s residence around 10.30am. “We rushed inside and saw four people badly burnt,” a local resident said.

Residents alerted the police and helped rescue the victims. Locals said the narrow lane hampered rescue efforts, but people managed to pull the injured out of the house and shift them to hospital.

Patna City SDPO-II Gaurav Kumar said, “Kanhai bought the flammable substance near Kangan Ghat Wednesday morning out of anger over Munni’s second marriage to Govind in April. He reached the house and set it on fire. One child of Govind was also among the burnt. Kanhai has been taken into custody and police are questioning him. Further investigation is underway.”