A man in Mahottari district attempted to burn his wife and mother-in-law to death by dousing them in kerosene at Bhangaha Municipality-1 of Mahottari district, police said. The victims sustained critical burn injuries in the incident.

According to the District Police Office in Mahottari, the alleged perpetrator Shankar Sada of Aurahi Municipality-8 in the district poured kerosene on his wife aged 35 and mother-in-law aged 65, on Saturday night. Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Bista said Shankar attempted to kill them after a heated family dispute.

The critically injured mother and daughter were rushed to Provincial Hospital in Janakpur for treatment. The mother sustained serious burn injuries on her back, arms and left leg while her daughter sustained injuries on her chest, arms and legs.

The provincial hospital referred the victims to Kathmandu as their treatment was not possible in Janakpur. “The victims are in critical condition. We referred both of them to the national capital as their treatment is not possible in Janakpur,” said Dr Rupesh Barma, who was involved in their treatment at the provincial hospital. According to Barma, the mother is expected to recover following treatment but the daughter's health condition is very critical.

Shankar fled the scene soon after the incident. Search is underway to nab the perpetrator, said police.

The perpetrator attacked the women while they were asleep at around midnight. The suspect set them on fire after dousing them with kerosene. He locked the door from outside and ran away soon after the crime.

The women cried for help but the villagers did not hear them as it was raining heavily. Rajawati Devi, a neighbour, knew about the incident first and informed other neighbours. "They were immediately rushed to Janakpur after the villagers knew about the incident," said Sana Kumari Sada, a relative of the victims who stays in another house in the settlement. According to her, there were no serious disputes in the family.

Police recovered an alcohol bottle that the perpetrator used to bring kerosene from a nearby shop.

According to the locals, Shankar and his wife went to the field nearby together on Saturday evening to collect fodder for the cattle. He brought the kerosene while returning from the field.

Shankar was staying at his in-law’s house with his wife and mother-in-law after returning from foreign employment in Kuwait a year ago.