21-year-old widow set on fire by lover, his wife

A 21-year-old widow is struggling for her life in a hospital after she was allegedly set on fire by her lover and his wife in Jharkhand's Dumka district, police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred in Sitasal village in Shikaripara police station area late in the evening on November 13. The victim has been identified as Maku Murmu.

Amit Lakra, the officer-in-charge of Shikaripara police station, said, "An FIR has been filed based on the complaint lodged by the victim's mother, Phulmani Hansda. The victim is being treated at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital in adjoining West Bengal."

The OC said Murmu was in a relationship with a man, identified as Mongala Dehri, for three years.

On November 13, Dehri and his wife visited Murmu's house in Sitasal village and engaged in a heated argument with her, following which they poured petrol, which was in the victim's house, and set her on fire, the officer said, citing Hansda's complaint.

Dehri was arrested on Saturday evening, while his wife is at large and a manhunt has been launched to trace her, he added.