A horrific incident of domestic violence and premeditated murder has emerged from Bihar's Supaul district, where a 21-year-old woman identified as Damini Devi succumbed to critical burn injuries after being set ablaze by her husband. The brutal crime occurred near the Supaul sub-branch canal in Lalmanpatti, situated within the Satanpatti panchayat under the jurisdiction of the Ratanpura police station. Damini passed away during treatment at the Sadar Hospital in Supaul on Sunday morning. Law enforcement authorities acted swiftly to arrest the accused husband, Sanjeev Kumar Sah, sending him to jail while also questioning his father to ascertain the full background of the dispute. The tragedy marks a grim conclusion to a relationship that originated on social media and ended within nine months of marriage.
Origin of the Relationship on Social Media
According to police officials overseeing the investigation, the couple first came into contact roughly two years ago through Instagram. What began as virtual conversations soon developed into a romantic relationship, prompting both individuals to proceed with a formal court marriage approximately nine months prior to the incident. However, marital discord surfaced almost immediately following the wedding. Damini visited Sanjeev's household only once, departing back to her maternal residence after just a single day. Sanjeev also made infrequent visits to his in-laws' home, and personal friction between the two continued to escalate over the subsequent months.
Dispute Over Divorce Proceedings in Muzaffarpur
The core dispute between the couple centered on Sanjeev's desire to terminate the marriage legally, a move that Damini actively opposed. In statements provided to investigators, the accused claimed that he had initiated divorce proceedings by filing an application in Muzaffarpur. He alleged that Damini persistently refused to sign the relevant legal documentation necessary to move the separation forward. The deadlock over the divorce papers served as the primary trigger for recurring confrontations, leading investigators to examine the exact timeline of the legal filing and the surrounding familial communications.
The Timeline of the Crime Along the Canal
During police interrogation, Sanjeev disclosed the sequence of events that preceded the fatal attack on Saturday evening. Damini had arrived at Bhaptiyahi Chowk around 8:00 PM, where the two shared a meal together. Following dinner, Sanjeev rode his motorcycle to a shop located on the Eastern Kosi Embankment border road to purchase a bottle of petrol, which he concealed inside Damini's plastic carry bag. He subsequently transported her roughly 17 kilometers past the Kosi embankment toward the Bayasi road. At approximately 10:00 PM, near an isolated stretch by the Lalmanpatti canal, he poured the flammable liquid over her, ignited the fire using matches, and fled the location.
Police Investigation and Gathering of Physical Evidence
Veerpur SDPO Pawan Kumar stated that investigative teams inspecting the crime scene recovered concrete evidence confirming the use of flammable substances consistent with petrol. Following a formal application submitted by the victim's family members, police registered the case and initiated strict legal proceedings against the accused. Authorities are completing documentation, recording witness testimonies, and preparing forensic reports to establish accountability as the case transitions toward formal trial proceedings in the judicial system.
