Woman gets lifer for setting daughter-in-law ablaze

Woman gets lifer for setting daughter-in-law ablaze
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Nashik, July 18: A local court sentenced a woman to life imprisonment yesterday for killing her daughter-in-law for dowry.

Additional sessions judge S S Phansalkar-Joshi handed down the punishment on Asha Bhaskar Pagare for setting ablaze Padmabai Ajay Pagare (17) after she was unable to fulfil the latter's demand for dowry.

According to prosecution, Asha, a resident of Manikkhamb village in Igatpuri taluka of Nashik district, poured kerosene on Padmabai and set her afire on September 16, 1999 after she refused to bring money from her parents to buy land.

Padmabai suffered 90 per cent burn injuries and later succumbed to her injuries at Nashik civil hospital.

But before breathing her last, she gave a statement to the police, based on which cases were registered against Asha, her husband Bhaskar and son Ajay under various sections of IPC.

The court examined nine witnesses and found strong evidence against Asha, while her husband and son were acquitted for want of evidence.