Woman dies of burn injuries in West Bengal

In a mysterious incident, a 79-year-old woman died in the Burdwan district, reportedly of burn injuries, was buried in the compound of her house by her middle-aged son and daughter-in-law, who have both been arrested.

In a mysterious incident, a 79-year-old woman died in the district, reportedly of burn injuries, was buried in the compound of her house by her middle-aged son and daughter-in-law, who have both been arrested.

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The incident came to light in Jamalpur on Sunday when neighbours, suspicious over the absence of the old woman for the past three days, questioned Madanmohan Nag, her 58-year-old-son and his wife Moniprabha, district police Superintendent R Rajashekharan said.

Faced with a barrage of questions from angry neighbours, who reported the matter to the police, the two broke down and claimed that the old woman Shantilata Nag had died on Wednesday after suddenly catching fire.

The couple and their son Amar then buried her body in the compound of their government quarter fearing trouble by neighbours, they claimed.

The putrefied body was exhumed from the house compound in the presence of a magistrate Ratan Dutta on the instruction of the district authorities and sent for post-mortem.

Two jars of kerosene were found from the house by the police and Madanmohan, head clerk at the irrigation department at Memari in the same district, and his wife were arrested.

Neighbours alleged that the couple and their son would often assault the old woman over small issues.

The couple’s son Amar, an employee in the computer section of the local block development office, is absconding, Rajashekharan said.