A 17-year old girl was allegedly set on fire and killed by her fiance and his mother in South Tripura district, after her parents failed to cough up a dowry of Rs 50,000, a police officer said on Sunday.
The teenager, who suffered 90 per cent burns, was early on Saturday admitted to a hospital in Agartala, where she died of injuries, he said.
The girl's 21-year-old fiance and his mother were arrested, based on a complaint filed by the teen's family at a police station station in South Tripura, Officer-in-charge Narayan Chandra Saha said.
They would be produced before a local court, he said.
Explaining the sequence of events, Mr Saha said, "The man eloped with the teen on October 28 and had sought to formalise their marriage on December 11."
"His mother, however, met the teenager's parents on December 6 and allegedly demanded Rs 50,000 from them. Her parents could cough up only Rs 15,000, citing their poor financial condition."
Hours later, the 17-year-old was admitted to the hospital with 90 per cent burns, the officer said. The fiance, on his part, said the girl committed suicide, a claim refuted by her family.
"I was in the other room, when I heard her screaming. I along with other villagers rescued her and took her to the hospital," the fiance, a daily wager, told reporters before being taken away by police.
The teen's mother, said the fiance's mother had sought Rs 50,000.
"She was just 17-year-old, my elder daughter... She fled with the man to his house, following which we decided that their marriage be solemnised. His mother sought Rs 50000, but we could gather only Rs 15,000. That night itself, I wanted to talk to my daughter, but he did not allow her. The next thing we know is that she has been admitted to a hospital with burn injuries," the teen's mother said.
Condemning the incident, Papia Datta, the president of BJP Mahila Morcha (women's wing) demanded "exemplary punishment for the culprits".
"We condemn this heinous crime and seek exemplary punishment. Our party is holding campaigns across the state to create awareness on crimes against women," she added.
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