Girl sets herself ablaze to escape marriage; house gutted in fire

 

Subrahmanya, 18 Feb 2015: Upset by the match found for her by her parents, a 17-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by setting herself ablaze at her residence at Nalkooru village under Subrahmanya police limits on Tuesday, February 17. Not only did she succumb to burns but the fire engulfed the entire house and reduced it to ashes.

 

The deceased is Harshitha. Her father Utrambe Narayana Gowda, a carpenter and a resident of Nadugallu at Nalkooru here had departed to Subrahmanya owing to work while her mother Sarojini too had gone out for coolie work. Harshitha, who was alone at home set herself on fire and ended her life, claim sources. It is said that she was in a relationship with another individual, but her parents had found an alliance elsewhere due to which she was unhappy.

 

The kerosene that she poured on herself, spread all over the tiled house and gutted it down. School pupil who were playing nearby, happened to see the flames emanating and brought the incident to the notice of the villagers. By the time the villagers could rush in, it was too late.

 

Harshitha is survived by parents and en elder sister who is married.

 

Sullia Circle Inspector Sathish and Subrahmanya Station Inspector Nagesh Kadri and staff arrived at the spot. As short circuit was initially thought to be the reason for the fire mishap, MESCOM staff inspected the area and confirmed that it was not a case of short circuit.

 

Sullia Thashildar Srinivas Shetty and revenue officials visited the house. Gold amounting to Rs one lac, Rs 25,000 cash and household items were all gutted in fire. A cumulative loss of Rs seven lac is estimated.

 

The Thashildar informed that forensic team would inspect the conditions and the body tomorrow morning and confirm the cause of death. A case has been registered at Subrahmanya police station.