Hyderabad: Upset that the woman he loved was getting married to another man, a 19-year-old construction worker set himself ablaze in front of the functional hall in Langar Houz where the wedding was taking place on Friday. The injured was rushed to a nearby hospital and succumbed to burn injuries while undergoing treatment on Monday.
West Zone police said that the victim, Shaik Ashfaq, was in love with a woman from his neighbourhood and he approached her family seeking their permission to marry her. "But the woman's family was not interested in a matrimonial alliance with Ashfaq and they rejected his proposal," police said. The woman's family started looking for a prospective groom. They soon found a private worker from the city and fixed her wedding.
The wedding was scheduled for July 1. Asfaq came to know that the woman was getting married to someone else on July 1 night at a function hall in Langar Houz. He purchased petrol in a bottle and reached the function hall. He then doused himself with petrol and set himself ablaze. While engulfed in flames, Ashfaq attempted to run into the function hall.
"Relatives of the bride and the groom, saw Ashfaq engulfed in flames running into the function hall. They intercepted him and in the process, some of them suffered minor burns. The family members and relatives immediately doused the flames and alerted us," Langar Houz police said.
The victim who sustained about 40% burns was rushed to Osmania General Hospital (OGH). While undergoing treatment at the hospital, he succumbed on Monday morning.
While he was undergoing treatment, police recorded Ashfaq's statement. Ashfaq told the cops that he was under depression after coming to know that the woman he loved was getting married to another man. Police registered a criminal case and they are investigating the matter.
