22-Year-Old Hyderabad Woman Set On Fire By Stalker In Full Public View, Dies

A 22-year-old woman, who was allegedly set ablaze on Thursday evening in full public view in Secunderabad by a man suspected to be her lover, succumbed to her burns on Friday morning, the police said.

She died around 7.30 am while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad, deputy commissioner of police (north zone) B Sumathi said.

The woman, identified as Sandhya Rani, worked as a receptionist at an aluminium fabrication unit, police said.

As per preliminary investigation, the man, aged around 28, on Thursday evening called her to Lalaguda area, located about 10 kms from Secunderabad.

After she reached the spot, the man suddenly poured kerosene on her and set her on fire before fleeing, a police official on Thursday said.

Hearing her cries, some passersby rushed to her aid and put out the fire.

The woman, who suffered 60% burns, was then shifted to the hospital.

"She passed away this morning. We are now altering the case sections also," Sumathi said.

The police had on Thursday registered a case under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder).

A police official earlier said the man was apparently in love with the woman and was harassing her. Other reports are saying the accused was her former colleague and had been stalking her.  

However, the woman never told her family members about the man or the harassment, the official said.

The police neither disclosed any details about the man nor confirmed if he was taken into custody.

(With PTI inputs)