Date:21/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/21/stories/2007012119230300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Woman set on fire

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: A man set on fire a young woman, a sex worker, who refused to accompany him on Friday night.

The police said that for the past few days Vasanth was pursuing the 26-year-old woman. Around 9.30 p.m. on Friday he accosted her near a cobbler's kiosk at Shantala Silk House junction in Cottonpet police station limits and forced her to come with him.

When she refused, an inebriated Vasanth (49) doused her with kerosene and set her on fire. Sripathi, a beggar who was at the kiosk, and beat policemen put out the fire and rushed her to Victoria Hospital.

The woman who sustained 75 per cent burns is battling for her life, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) K.V. Sharathchandra told The Hindu.

Vasanth was a pickpocket and there were several cases against him in Upparpet and Kalasipalya police stations. He was a vagabond and used to sleep on pavements in the Majestic area, Mr. Sharathchandra said.

Cyclist killed

Santosh (30) was killed when a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus hit his bicycle on CMH Road, off Lakshmipura burial ground, around 8.30 a.m. on Saturday.