Kubernagar man sets wife and mother-in-law ablaze after domestic dispute

Panic and chaos gripped the Kamal Complex near Azad Maidan in Kubernagar on Tuesday evening after a man allegedly doused his wife and mother-in-law with petrol and set them ablaze at a beauty parlour, before fleeing the spot.

According to the complaint lodged with Sardarnagar police, Ashok Babubhai Rajput, a resident of Kali Mati behind Kishore School in Kubernagar, arrived at Usha Beauty Parlour—run by his wife’s aunt—around 6.15 pm. There, he allegedly poured petrol on his 32-year-old wife, Jaya, and her 52-year-old mother, Shobhanaben, and ignited the fuel. He fled before bystanders could intervene.

Neighbours and traders in the complex raised an alarm as smoke engulfed the premises. Fire engines soon reached the scene and helped douse the flames, while locals rushed the two women to the Civil Hospital in Asarwa. Doctors said both victims sustained severe burns and remain unconscious in the G-8 ICU ward.

The complaint, filed by Jaya’s brother Nilesh Dharmadas Bachani, states that Jaya and Ashok had married in April this year but had been living apart after repeated quarrels. The couple briefly reconciled 15 days ago but fought again a week ago, prompting Jaya to return to her parental home.

Sardarnagar police have registered a case of murder in the matter, after the wife died during treatment in hospital in the afternoon.