Neighbors rescue burned bride

Neighbors rescue burned bride

BOMBAY (AFP): Neighbors rescued a Bombay bride of one month who was set on fire by suspicious in-laws who "doubted her character," reports said yesterday.

Newspapers said Meena Sawant's parents-in-law poured gasoline on her and set her alight late Tuesday as they opposed her marriage with their son Sunil. The marriage had not been arranged in accordance with Hindu tradition.

The family also doubted her fidelity to her husband, they said.

The Afternoon daily said Meena's screams attracted neighbors who rescued her from the room in which she had been locked. She was taken to hospital with 80 percent burns.

Police have arrested her husband and parents-in law for attempted bride burning -- a charge with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.