Woman Allegedly Sets Younger Sister Ablaze Following Argument Over Property

A woman in India allegedly set her sister on fire following an argument over a property their parents left them.

The incident took place Monday night in the southern state of Telangana's Medak district. The elder sister, identified as Rajeswari, doused her younger sister, Varalaxmi, in gasoline, and ignited her, India Today reported.

Rajeshwari also suffered burns because Varalaxmi embraced her tightly when she was engulfed in flames, The Times of India reported.

Both sisters were rushed to a hospital with burns. Varalaxmi succumbed to injuries Tuesday, whilst Rajeswari suffered 80 percent burns and was listed in critical condition, India Today reported.

Varalaxmi and her two children were living in Vadiayaram village after her husband deserted her a few years ago. Varalaxmi and Rajeshwari, who is a divorcee, were having an ongoing dispute over the ownership of the five acres (20,234 sq meters) of land their parents left them, the Times of India reported, citing authorities.

Rajeshwari reached Varalaxmi's house Monday night and an argument broke out between the two again.

"Rajeshwari brought a bottle of patrol with her and in a fit of rage, she poured patrol on Varalaxmi and set her ablaze," the police said.

It wasn't clear what charges were levied against Rajeshwari.

In a similar incident in June 2021, a man in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was allegedly beaten to death by his two sons over a property dispute. The incident took place on the day marked as International Father's Day. The victim, identified as a retired railways employee named Baijnath, was allegedly taken from his home in the town of Manjhanpur by his two sons, identified as Surendra and Virendra, and then beaten up. Bajinath's youngest son, Narendra, claimed his older brothers were forcing the former to give them their property share and funds from their dad's retirement fund. Bajinath was rescued from Surendra's house by Narendra and his mother, identified as Rita Devi, after learning about the incident. Narendra took his father to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The police were investigating the incident.