A 24year-old man from Chhireshwornath Municipality-8 in Dhanusha district allegedly attempted to burn his wife to death as the latter refused to divorce him.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Chakra Bahadur Singh, Rasid Rain burnt his wife Hajara Khatun, aged 20, on Saturday. Critically injured Hajara is receiving treatment at a Kirtipur-based hospital in Kathmandu. The victim, who suffered 80 percent burn injuries, was rushed to Kathmandu as her treatment was not possible in Janakpur Zonal Hospital.

SP Singh said that the suspect doused the victim with kerosene and torched her following a family dispute. It is learnt that the husband and the in-laws frequently tortured Hajara since long.

The victim lodged a complaint at the District Police Office about a month ago after her husband refused to register marriage in the local unit and denied to recommend her for acquiring citizenship. She also claimed that her husband and the in-laws tortured her repeatedly.

Following the complaint Rasid presented at the police office on January 14 and agreed not to torture her and help her to get citizenship within 12 days. The victim’s maternal family members claimed that after the agreement Rasid further tortured Hajara to press her for the divorce.

The victim’s mother filed a complaint against Rashid four other family members stating that they attempted to burn her alive for she refused to divorce him. The detailed investigation is under way by taking Rashid into custody, said police.