In a startling revelation, home minister R.R. Patil informed the legislative council that nearly 8,000 women have died in kitchen stove explosions in the last four years. He assured that in case of any suspicion, a CID inquiry would be held.
Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe had raised the issue through a calling attention motion. She pointed out that in Pune district alone, there have been 1,000 deaths due to burn injuries. “The cause of deaths was not ascertained in any of these cases. Official documents only express conjecture that these women might have burnt themselves because of domestic feuds,” she said.
Ms Gorhe said that all these cases may not necessarily be murder cases, but the possibility of murder in these cases could not be ruled out.
In his reply, the home minister admitted that the number of deaths due to kitchen stove explosions is disturbing. “There were 1,896 deaths in 2008. The number has increased every year. It was 1,998 in the year 2009, 2,011 in the year 2010 and 2,021 in the year 2011. These numbers are shocking and we need to look into these cases more carefully,” the minister said.
He added that these cases will be investigated at three levels, saying, “Apart from the investigating officers, their superior officers will also review these cases. And if any of these cases are found to be suspicious, the CID will take over the investigation.”
He added that the police will take cognisance of the suspicion expressed not only by the parents of the deceased but also by any of the relatives.