Man Sets Partner Ablaze During Argument Over Her Social Media Post, Victim Dead

A woman in India succumbed to burn injuries Thursday after her live-in partner allegedly set her on fire during an argument over a social media post.

The victim, identified as 28-year-old Athira, used to frequently post videos on Instagram even though her partner, 30-year-old Shanavaz, opposed it. This led to frequent arguments between the two. On Wednesday night, the couple got into a similar argument. The incident took place in the nation's southern state of Kerala.

The Times of India reported that during the disagreement, the woman allegedly poured kerosene on her body and threatened to self-immolate. Provoked by this, the accused ignited a lighter and threw it on Athira.

NDTV, however, reported that the accused poured kerosene on the woman and set her ablaze.

"The two were having heated arguments over a video that Athira had posted on social media. According to Athira's mother's complaint, Shanavaz allegedly poured kerosene over her and set her on fire with a lighter. The couple has a three-month-old child," NDTV quoted a police officer as saying.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the victim’s screams, neighbors rushed to the couple's house and called an ambulance. Both Athira and Shanavaz were rushed to a local hospital, where the woman succumbed to death the following morning. Her last rites were held Thursday evening.

Shanavaz, who also sustained burn injuries, remained in the hospital as of Friday. However, his condition remained unknown. The charges filed against him were also not known.

Last year, Lamu, a popular Chinese social media influencer, died in a similar manner after her ex-husband set her on fire during a live stream. Lamu was in the middle of a live-streaming when the man broke into her home, doused her in petrol and set her on fire in front of her family members. She was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. About 90% of Lamu's body was burned in the incident and she succumbed to her injuries three weeks later.