Woman set ablaze over land dispute in Katni:Accused sprayed petrol from his mouth, 2 arrested; police probe underway

A young man in Katni poured petrol on the face of a 50-year-old woman and set her on fire. Her condition remains critical and she has been admitted to the district hospital. The incident occurred around 1 am on Tuesday night. According to Barwara police, the incident took place in Majhgawan Chhaghra village. The 50-year-old victim, Santra Bai, was at home when Bhola Kol, a neighbour, arrived. He began verbally abusing her over an old land dispute. As the argument escalated, the accused Bhola filled his mouth with petrol from a bottle and sprayed it on Santra Bai’s face. He then struck a match and set her on fire. Family rushes to save victim Hearing Santra Bai’s screams as she was engulfed in flames, her daughter-in-law, who had been sleeping inside the house, rushed outside. On seeing her approach, the accused Bhola Kol fled the scene. Family members immediately doused the flames and rushed the injured woman to Katni District Hospital. Police record victim’s statement After receiving information about the incident, Barwara police reached the hospital and recorded the statement of the victim, Santra Bai. Barwara Police Station in-charge K.K. Patel said that, based on her statement, a case is being registered against the accused Bhola Kol under relevant sections. Previous dispute linked to attack According to police, the accused Monu Raikwar, Raj Raikwar, and the victim’s son-in-law Devi Deen used to work together at Ahuja Company. A day earlier, a dispute had taken place between them at work. It was over this issue that Monu Raikwar, Raj Raikwar, and Bhola Kol were arguing with Devi Deen. When Santra Bai intervened after hearing the commotion, the accused Bhola Kol allegedly sprayed petrol from his mouth onto her and set her on fire with a matchstick. The daughter-in-law has alleged that the act was carried out with the intention to kill and that all three accused were acting in collusion, planning to set her mother-in-law on fire. 2 accused in custody, main accused absconding Three accused are involved in the incident: main accused Bhola Kol (30), Monu Raikwar (25), and Raj Raikwar (28), all residents of Majhgawan. Barwara police are interrogating Monu Raikwar and Raj Raikwar, while the main accused Bhola Kol is currently absconding.