Kin seek strict punishment for woman’s husband, in-laws

Our Correspondent

Tral, November 20

Family of a 30-year-old woman who was set ablaze by her husband and in-laws in Tral seek exemplary punishment for their daughter’s killers. 

Victim Nusrat Rasool, revealed in her dying declaration that her husband had set her on fire after hitting her on the head, while her mother-in-law and brother-in-law watched the entire incident. Nusrat had been married to Mehrajuddin Trag for the past six years and the couple had two kids, including a toddler. Trag on November 3, had called Nusrat’s brother Aqib Rasool and asked him to take her to the hospital.

“I rushed to their house and found Nusrat half dead, burns all over her body,” Aqib said, adding that he was told she caught fire due to explosion in gas stove.

The ‘gas stove’ theory was debunked by doctors at the SMHS Hospital and by Nusrat as well in her statement to the police.

“My husband hit me on the head, poured kerosene over me and set me ablaze,” Nusrat told the police on November 8. She died hours after the police recorded her statement.

“My mother-in-law had tortured me all these years. She hurled abuses at me even while I was set ablaze,” Nusrat told the police in the hospital.

The police on the basis of the statement given by the victim have arrested her husband, mother-in-law (Bashira) and brother-in-law (Younis Trag).

Awantipora Senior Superintendent of Police Tahir Saleem said Nusrat’s dying declaration was enough to nail the culprits. “Nothing can save them,” he said.

“I have lost my daughter and the kids have lost their mother. We will get solace after quick delivery of justice,” said Nusrat’s father, Ghulam Rasool Zargar. He said the accused should be dealt with sternly.

‘Provide justice’

I have lost my daughter and kids have lost their mother. We will get solace after quick delivery of justice. The accused should be dealt with sternly.  —Ghulam Rasool Zargar, nusrat’s father