India: Four arrests made after severe burns to young bride

Four individuals have been arrested following a fire that severely burned 23-year-old Nikita Saha during a barbecue at a lodging in Sittong, India. The young bride remained in critical condition on Saturday, September 19, as police worked to determine accountability.

The incident occurred on September 13 in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Nikita Saha and her husband, Souvik Das, were staying there after their wedding when a barbecue fire suddenly spread. The young woman suffered burns covering 60% of her body and was hospitalized in Siliguri, according to The Telegraph India.

Souvik Das burned his hand while trying to rescue his wife. He has since been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment. Surveillance footage of the fire has circulated on social media, but it alone does not establish accountability.

A senior police official confirmed on Saturday that four people had been arrested. Among those detained are the owner of the lodging, an employee, and the individual suspected of pouring kerosene on the grill. “The role of each person is being examined,” the officer told the Indian daily. The investigation is ongoing, and these arrests do not constitute a declaration of guilt.

In his complaint filed with the Kurseong police, Souvik Das accuses the establishment of negligence. According to his account, flammable liquid poured on the barbecue allegedly reached his wife. He also claims he had to wait before finding a vehicle to take her to the hospital due to a lack of first aid on site. These details are his statements and have not yet been subject to definitive police conclusions.

The Indian Express, which interviewed the husband on September 18, noted that the lodging owner could not be reached at that time. The case was also reported on September 19 by People, following the announcement of the arrests.