B’luru: Man arrested for setting pregnant wife on fire

Police have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly setting his pregnant wife on fire after the latter refused to give him money for alcohol.

The victim, Meena, 24, is undergoing treatment at a hospital and is said to be in a critical condition.

The accused Babu works as a courier delivery agent. Reportedly Meena has three children from her first marriage to Vijaykanth. She met Babu following Vijaykanth’s demise. Babu was estranged from his wife. The couple lived at Old Byappanahalli, while Meera’s children were put up at a hostel.

Reportedly Babu was an alcoholic and would torture Meena for money. On the day of the incident, a quarrel erupted between them and a frustrated Meena threatened to set herself ablaze if he did not stop torturing her. babu however snatched the bottle of diesel that was in Meena’s hand, poured it on her, and set her on fire.

Neighbours came to her rescue upon hearing her screams and rushed her to a hospital.