Women sets self on fire over ailment

Driven by depression over an ailment, a 40-year-old woman allegedly tried to commit suicide by setting herself ablaze outside the housing society where she stays.

The woman was rushed to Sasoon hospital where she is undergoing treatment. Deccan Gymkhana police have identified the woman as Swati Rao, a resident of Omshri housing society.

Swati is unmarried and stays with her aged mother. "She has been suffering from dysentery since the past two months. On Wednesday, she came downstairs, drained some petrol from her moped and later poured it on herself and set herself on fire in broad daylight," said Police Inspector, Manohar Joshi of the Deccan Gymkahan police station.

Some neighbours saw her and rushed to douse the flames with a hose. Doctors at Sasoon said that she has suffered 65 per cent burns. "As of now, we have come to know that the woman was suffering from dysentery and was depressed as a result.

She might have taken the decision to end her life because of this," said police a police officer of Deccan-Gymkhana police station. According to the police, Swati provides tiffin service for students living in hostels in the area. u00a0