PHAGWARA: In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves across the region, a 26-year-old woman, identified as Preeti, allegedly set herself and her three-year-old son Parvinder Singh ablaze, reportedly due to persistent harassment by her in-laws. The tragic event took place at her residence on Talwi Sahib Road in Kala Sanghian, a locality on the Kapurthala-Nakodar road.
According to initial reports, Preeti had been living on the upper floor of her house with her young son while her husband, Tarlochan Singh alias Sunny, has been working abroad for the past two years. Family sources allege that in his absence, Preeti faced continuous mental and emotional harassment at the hands of her in-laws.
On the day of the incident, neighbors noticed smoke billowing from the upper floor of the house and immediately raised an alarm. Family members and local residents rushed to the scene, only to find Preeti and her child engulfed in flames. Despite efforts to douse the fire, both victims were severely burned by the time help arrived.
They were rushed to a local hospital in Kala Sanghian, where the duty doctor declared both mother and child dead on arrival.
Following the incident, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sadar Police Station, Inspector Prabhjot Kaur, along with the in-charge of Kala Sanghian police post, Amarjeet Singh, arrived at the scene with a team and took the bodies into custody for post-mortem. The remains have been kept at the Civil Hospital in Kala Sanghian.
Police have begun formal proceedings, and statements from the woman’s maternal family — who hail from Badshahpur village in the Lohian area of Jalandhar — have been recorded. According to them, Preeti had been subjected to regular harassment by five members of her husband’s family, leading her to take the drastic step.
The family has accused the in-laws of abetment to suicide and domestic abuse. Based on their complaint, police have stated that an FIR will be lodged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and all accused individuals will be arrested soon.
This disturbing case highlights the grim reality of domestic abuse still faced by many women, particularly in the absence of spousal support. It also calls into question the effectiveness of social and legal safeguards meant to protect vulnerable individuals within family structures.
Police investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.