A destitute woman from Dahod district died by setting herself on fire in a company in Makarpura GIDC of Vadodara on Sunday. The woman used to work as a caretaker in the company after being homeless last year.
The incident took place when the 65-year-old, identified as Santu, was alone at the premises of Sainath Electroplasters and the preliminary investigation by the police suggests that the spot did not have any other source for fire. Also, the fire officials have confirmed that the fire was probably started by the woman herself citing no other source of the fire at the spot.
A Police official informed that “We have confirmed that the woman died by self-immolation. She was aged around 65 and her sons live in Dahod. She had taken shelter at the company since the lockdown and had been living there alone. The owners of the company were providing her with food and clothing… She also had the habit of smoking beedi.”
“There was no electric switch or wire at the spot where she was found charred. Her handcart was also reduced to ashes with some other plastic objects that belonged to the company. Fire officials have confirmed that the fire was possibly started with the intention of self-immolation,” the official added.
A case of accidental death has been registered by the Manjalpur Police Station and the mortal remains of the woman are handed over to her sons after an autopsy of her body at the SSG hospital.
