42-year-old woman dies with 70% burns after stepson sets her on fire, accused held
Deceased Sushma Devi, 42, suffered 70% burns after Moksh Verma doused petrol in Housing Colony Wednesday evening, died at GMC Jammu during treatment after referral from Udhampur hospital.
Jammu (The Uttam Hindu): A woman died after her step-son allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
A 42-year-old woman died during treatment after she was allegedly attacked by her step-son with petrol in the Housing Colony area of Udhampur on Wednesday evening, police said on Thursday.
The accused has been arrested. The deceased has been identified as Sushma Devi. It is alleged that her stepson doused her with petrol and set her on fire.
The woman was initially taken to a hospital in Udhampur, from where she was referred to GMC Jammu for better treatment, where she died during treatment.
According to reports, the woman was in critical condition after the incident. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The accused, identified as Moksh Verma, is alleged to have doused his stepmother with a flammable substance and set her on fire inside their house.
Sushma Devi suffered severe burns covering approximately 70 percent of her body. Neighbors and family members rushed her to the district hospital in Udhampur, where she was referred to the Government Medical College, Jammu, in critical condition. She later died at the hospital.
According to NCRB data, cases of juveniles in conflict with law have increased significantly in Jammu and Kashmir. From 171 cases registered in 2020, the number rose to 323 in 2021 and further to 361 in 2022.
A study conducted by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences-Kashmir in 2024 on juvenile offenders found that cases against them were mainly registered under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), Arms Act and POCSO Act.
Legal and mental health experts in the Union Territory believe that a significant proportion of juveniles entering the justice system are first-time offenders. The main reasons for this are family discord, severe financial hardship, and lack of parental guidance, rather than habitual criminal tendencies.