Maharashtra: Spurned lover dies after setting self, girlfriend on fire

The accused was identified as Gajanan Munde. He and his girlfriend Pooja Salve were pursuing PhD at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Aurangabad (Maharashtra): A PhD student set himself on fire and hugged his girlfriend inside a cabin at the Government Institute of Science (GIS) in Aurangabad here on Monday. The boy suffered 85 percent burns and succumbed to his injuries while the girl suffered 50 percent burns and is being treated at Ghati Hospital.

The accused was identified as Gajanan Munde. Both were pursuing Ph.D. at Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. The preliminary probe revealed that Munde was upset with his girlfriend Pooja Salve for turning down his marriage proposal. Begampura Police Inspector Prashant Potdar said, "Munde and Pooja suffered serious injuries. The boy was battling for his life with 85 per cent burns but later succumbed while the girl is critical with 50 percent burns."

Police sources said, "Pooja Salve was working on a project in the forensic department when Munde entered the cabin with two bottles of petrol. He locked the door from the inside and doused himself and Pooja in fuel. He set himself ablaze and hugged Pooja." The police officials said, "further investigation in this matter is on and action will be taken accordingly."