A 30-year-old man died after setting himself on fire in northwest Delhi’s Jehangirpuri area late on Monday because he failed to convince his wife to return home, police said, adding that he released a clip on social media blaming his mother-in-law and wife for forcing him to self-immolate.
Police said an investigation had been opened and the wife and her mother-in-law were detained for questioning. They added that the neighbors rushed to the man who was covered in flames and tried to take him downstairs, cover him with blankets, and throw water on him, but he died instantly.
Police said that the man set himself on fire when his wife asked for a divorce and accused him of domestic violence. “The woman claimed that the deceased pretended to be an Indian Forest Service officer when they met. Later, she found out that he was working as a taxi driver,” a police officer said.
He added that the woman told investigators that she refused to marry him last year, but he threatened her with their photos and videos. “They got married in January this year. Within two or three days of the marriage, she said she left him because he beat her. The woman refused to live with her husband and returned to her mother’s house in Jahangirpuri,” the officer said.
A second officer said the man carried vinyl and kerosene to his in-laws’ home on Monday. “He consumed vinyl and set himself on fire after pouring kerosene, and filmed a video on social media accusing the wife and her mother-in-law of harassment.”
