The deceased, Rajendra Sharma, was seen in the footage pouring petrol on himself before igniting it. He suffered over 80% burns and was rushed to Charak Hospital in Ujjain before being referred to Indore, where he succumbed to his injuries early Monday.
According to police, Rajendra had gone to his brother-in-law Santosh Sharma’s house to bring back his wife Jyoti and daughter Mahi, who had been living there after a domestic quarrel. In his statement before death, Rajendra reportedly accused his wife and in-laws of separating him from his family.
However, Jyoti Sharma told police that her husband had tried to kill her while engulfed in flames. “He was running toward me after setting himself on fire,” she said, adding that Rajendra was addicted to alcohol and gambling and frequently assaulted her and their three daughters.
Their daughter Mahi confirmed that her father had thrown them out of the house on October 22. “When he came to take us back on Sunday, he created a scene outside and then set himself ablaze,” she said, denying her father’s allegations against her uncle and husband.
Rajendra’s brother Ajay, however, has alleged foul play, claiming his brother was murdered by his wife and in-laws. Police have registered a case and are examining CCTV footage to confirm the sequence of events. “Statements of all family members are being recorded, and every angle is under investigation,” said CSP Deepika Shinde.
