Uttar Pradesh: Husband Set On Fire By Wife For Being 'Dark & Ugly'

A 26-year-old woman from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh has been sentenced to life imprisonment four years after committing a horrific crime in which she set her husband on fire due to her dissatisfaction with his appearance. Premshree, now 26, was married to 25-year-old Satyaveer Singh in 2017, and she harboured resentment towards him, primarily focused on his "dark complexion."

As reported by Time Of India, Premshree had made repeated requests for a divorce, but Satyaveer remained committed to the marriage, and the couple had a daughter in November 2018.

On April 15, 2019, Premshree, discontented with her husband's appearance, doused him with petrol while he was asleep and set him on fire. Satyaveer, critically injured, succumbed to his injuries the following day. 

Police Investigation

Satyaveer's brother, Harveer, filed an FIR under IPC Section 302 (murder), leading to Premshree's arrest. The court's 32-page judgment affirmed Satyaveer's dying declaration to the police, naming his wife as the perpetrator.

In a poignant statement recorded at the Moradabad district hospital, Satyaveer explained, "I took my wife to her parental house a day before, where my in-laws told me that she doesn't like me and wants to leave me. I returned home the same night. The next morning, I was sleeping at home when my wife set me on fire." In 2021, a chargesheet was filed against Premshree, and during court proceedings, 10 witnesses testified against her.

Premshree's defence claimed she tried to save her husband and suffered burn injuries in the process. However, the court scrutinized her account, pointing out a significant inconsistency. It questioned her failure to open the door when neighbours rushed to help and noted the absence of burn marks on her hands, typically seen in rescue attempts.

Outside the courtroom, Premshree, accompanied by her 5-year-old daughter, asserted that she had been framed due to property disputes with her in-laws. She had previously appealed for a reduced sentence, citing financial struggles and her responsibility to raise their minor daughter.