Woman sets self, 3-year-old son on fire after alleged harassment by in-laws

A 26-year-old woman, identified as Preeti, allegedly set herself and her three-year-old son Parvinder Singh ablaze at her residence on Talwi Sahib Road in Kala Sanghian, on the Kapurthala-Nakodar road.

She took the step reportedly due to persistent harassment by her in-laws. According to initial reports, Preeti had been living on the upper floor of her house with her son while her husband, Tarlochan Singh alias Sunny, was working abroad for the last two years. Family sources allege that in his absence, Preeti faced continuous mental and emotional harassment at the hands of her in-laws.

On the day of the incident, neighbours noticed smoke billowing from the upper floor of the house and immediately raised an alarm. Despite efforts to douse the fire, both victims were severely burned by the time help arrived.

They were rushed to a local hospital in Kala Sanghian, where the doctor declared both dead on arrival.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Sadar Police Station, Inspector Prabhjot Kaur, along with the in-charge of Kala Sanghian police post, Amarjeet Singh, arrived at the scene with a team and took the bodies into custody for post-mortem. The remains have been kept at the Civil Hospital in Kala Sanghian.

Police have started formal proceedings. Statements from the woman’s family — who hail from Badshahpur village in the Lohian area of Jalandhar — have been recorded. According to them, Preeti had been subjected to regular harassment by her husband’s family, leading her to take the drastic step.

The family has accused the in-laws of abetment to suicide and domestic abuse. Police said that based on their complaint, an FIR will be lodged under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code, and all accused individuals will be arrested soon.

Police investigation is ongoing.