FIR against SP MLA for setting woman ablaze

A case has been registered against Samajwadi Party MLA Sripati Azad for allegedly setting ablaze a woman at her house in Rampur Majra village in Maharajganj district on Monday night....

A case has been registered against Samajwadi Party MLA Sripati Azad for allegedly setting ablaze a woman at her house in Rampur Majra village in Maharajganj district on Monday night. The MLA,who took the woman to hospital,is absconding while the woman is in a critical condition.

She has suffered more than 90 per cent burns and her condition is critical. She was conscious for a few hours during the day,but is unconscious now, said R K Singh,Principal of Baba Raghav Das Medical College,Gorakhpur.

A magistrate had recorded her statement before she became unconscious.

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According to the FIR,which was lodged by the victims 16-year-old son Manish Sharma a day after the incident,the MLA was a frequent visitor to their house. On Monday night,he arrived around 10 pm and the woman,Savitri Devi (36),offered him food. For some reason,the MLA threw the plate away,poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. Manish said his mother grabbed the MLAs hand,and he too suffered burns.

The police have registered a case under Section 326 of the IPC (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) against Azad,who represents Sadar constituency of Maharajganj.

The police said the MLA and Savitri Devi,who is a widow,were having an affair,and the MLA was providing financial assistance for the construction of her new house.

Maharajganj SP Ram Swaroop said,The victim lodged the FIR almost after 24 hours. We have launched a search for the MLA.

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Investigating officer S S Chauhan said the victims father-in-law and brother-in-law have confirmed that the incident took place on March 15 when the MLA visited them.