The Hindu : Four of family burnt to death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Four of family burnt to death

By Our Staff Reporter

ADILABAD APRIL 10. A retired District Medical and Health officer allegedly set afire five members of his family resulting in the death of four persons, including a 10-month-old baby girl, in Nirmal divisional headquarters, about 80 km from here, in the early hours of today.

The shocking crime was committed in Indiranagar colony of Nirmal town. The doctor, Narahari, allegedly set afire his son, Natesh (38), daughter-in-law, Narmada (35), granddaughters, Sanjana, (nine) and Nikita (10 months) and another girl, Maheswari (18). Property dispute is said to be the reason for the gruesome act.

The doctor retired from service two years ago and was staying in with his family. There were frequent disputes over property and on several occasions, community elders tried to sort out the differences. Even after the efforts of the community elders, the issue could not be solved.

The doctor allegedly entered the room of his son, Natesh, and poured kerosene on all the five victims, who were sleeping there and set them ablaze. The victims who were engulfed in flames shouted for help but were reportedly locked up in the room by the accused. A tenant, who heard their shrieks, rushed to the house and found the five victims severely burnt and struggling for their lives. The tenant reportedly called the local police for help.

The Nirmal SI, Sambaiah, who was on patrolling duty rushed to the house and shifted the victims to the Nirmal area hospital where the 10-month-old baby, Nikita died. As the condition of four victims, who sustained third degree burns turned critical, the police shifted them to Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad. Narmada, her daughter, Sanjana, and Maheswari, succumbed to the burns while Natesh is battling for his life.

The police also shifted the retired doctor, Narahari, to the Nirmal area hospital, after he sustained minor burns. The condition of the doctor is stable. The police said Narahari and his son used to quarrel over property. The accused reportedly refused to give his property to any of his three sons. While Natesh and his mentally deranged brother stayed with his father another brother was residing in Hyderabad.

Curiously enough, the doctor's wife, who was sleeping in another room, did not know about her husband's dastardly act until the victims shouted for help. The aged woman, shocked by the dastardly incident, was speechless when the police visited their house.

The Superintendent of Police, Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, Nirmal DSP, Vidyasagar Rao, and the Nirmal CI, Radhakrishna, visited the place. A murder case was booked against the doctor.

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