Twenty-six-year-old Asha, who was set ablaze by her husband after she opposed his third marriage, succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning. She was being treated at Victoria Hospital. The K.R. Puram police have arrested her husband R. Venugopal, who allegedly set her and their 18-month-old daughter ablaze on Tuesday afternoon at his residence in Manjunatha Layout near T C Palya. The police are still on the look out for Venugopal’s parents, Ramachandrappa and Lakshmamma.
Dr Ramesh, head of the plastic surgery department of Victoria Hospital, told Deccan Chronicle that Asha Venugopal was admitted to the burns ward at Victoria Hospital on Tuesday afternoon with 98 per cent burns all over her body. “Her chances of survival were very little and moreover she was brought too late to the hospital. However, Asha was conscious and responding to oral commands initially," said Dr. Ramesh.
“We administered fluids, antibiotics and painkillers. After around 9.00 pm she started losing consciousness and at around 12.10 am on Wednesday she died at the hospital,” he added. According to the police, Asha said in the statement she gave them while in hospital that she had been living with her parents for the last 18 months after her husband deserted her for another woman.
In March 2011, Asha filed a compliant against Venugopal under section 498 (a) and 494. He was arrested and sent to judicial custody. After being released from jail he left Asha and their daughter. When he realised that Asha was posing a threat to him to continue his illicit affair, he decided to eliminate her. She told the police that on Tuesday morning Venugopal had called her and asked her to come home along with the baby for good since he wanted them back in his life. Believing him she had gone to his house. However, he then doused her with kerosene and her and the child ablaze.
The police believe that Venugopal had pre-planned the murder and was ready with the can of kerosene. The KR Puram police are still interrogating Venugopal and are on the lookout for his parents who are absconding.