Being a woman, you should have understood another woman's plight: High Court

The Bombay High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a woman accused of setting her pregnant daughter-in-law on fire in February.

In her plea, Salma Ibrahim Kasamali said the nature of her crime was minor and she should be granted bail. Turning down her plea, Justice Mrudula Bhatkar observed, "Being a woman, you should have understood another woman's plight. You set your daughter-in-law, who was nine months pregnant, on fire after just a year into their marriage. I do grant bail in exceptional cases, but in your case, I won't. This is not acceptable."

The case
Salma, along with sons Imran (victim's husband), Salim and Pervez, and husband Ibrahim, set Nasim on fire at their Bangur Nagar residence on February 23.

The accused wanted Nasim to stay with her parents and told her that they should bear all the expenses of her delivery. When Nasim refused to do so, Salma thrashed her, before setting her ablaze. Neighbours rescued Nasim and rushed her to a private hospital in Borivli. She sustained minor burns in the incident.

While police arrested Imran and Ibrahim from the spot, Salim, Pervez and Salma managed to evade arrest. They later filed for bail. While Salim and Pervez got bail, the court rejected Salma's plea, following which she approached the HC.

The family has been booked under sections 498A, 504, 506 (2) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.