Chennai: Unable to withstand dowry demands of her husband, a 23-year-old mother of two set her children on fire before killing herself at Chengalpet.
The incident came to light on Tuesday at 5.30 pm when neighbours rushed to check on the mother, Vimala, her son Sarvesh (3) and his 18-month old sister Lakshmi, after hearing their screams. Witnesses noticed smoke billowing out of their home on Chinnamaniyakaaran Street as the mother had used Kerosene to douse her children and self, before setting fire to their bodies.
Neighbours found Vimala dead after breaking open the door but took the children to the Chengalpet medical college hospital after discovering some life left in them. But at 7 pm, doctors declared Sarvesh dead even as Lakshmi continues to battle for her life having sustained 80 per cent burns on her body.
Chengalpet police detained the husband, Sankaranarayanan (28) and his father, Sivaprakasam. Sankaranarayanan, who ran a pawn brokers shop in Arasumandi street in Chengalpet town married Vimala of Perungalathur five years ago. The couple had frequently quarrelled over Sankaranarayanan’s dowry demands.
Family members of Vimala told DC that her husband used to physically abuse her and would torture her to provide him with gold jewellery. On Tuesday, Vimala had served lunch to her husband and the father-in-law at 2 pm before they departed to their shop, neighbours noted.
