A man and four of his family members have been arrested for allegedly trying to kill his 23-year-old wife by setting her on fire in Nagpada area of south Mumbai, police said today.
The victim, Ashia Sheikh has sustained 55 per cent burns and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Byculla in central Mumbai.
The main accused and Ashia's husband Imran, his sister Zeenat, father Dawood, sister-in-law Husnah and brother-in-law Rehman were yesterday arrested by Nagpada police.
According to the police, Imran and Ashia had got married in February last year. However, just a few days into their marriage, Ashia came to know about Imran's extra-marital affair. He even asked her (Ashia) permission to marry his girlfriend.
"Since Ashia did not give him permission to marry his girlfriend, Imran and his family members started harassing her," a police source said.
On Friday, Zeenat got into an argument with Ashia, following which Imran and his family members allegedly poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze, police said.
"Hearing her loud cries, the neighbours came to her rescue, doused the fire and took her to a hospital. She is in a stable condition now," a police official said.
Based on the statement given by Ashia, the five accused were arrested on charge on attempt to murder and cruelty. They are presently in police custody.
