Suspecting extra marital affair, hubby sets wife ablaze

The Vithalwadi police have arrested a 30-year-old man for setting his wife ablaze suspecting an extra marital affair. The 26-year-old victim has suffered severe burns and is in critical state.

According to the police, the accused husband identified as Shivkumar Patela, a resident of Shivnagar in Ulhasnagar 4, poured kerosene on his wife and lit her with a matchstick after an argument in a drunken state. His wife suffered injuries on her abdomen, face and legs.

"We rushed to the spot after being informed by the locals about the incident. Till then, the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and the accused tried to escape from the residence," said a Vithalwadi police official.

"We have arrested the husband under section 307(attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Court and we are investigating further," said S Choudhary, investigation officer.

"The accused often fought with his wife suspecting her illicit affair with the neighbour which led to the incident," said Choudhary.