Suspicion clouds death of pregnant woman in car blaze in Kozhikode

Preliminary forensic findings in the car fire accident that claimed the life of a 27-year-old pregnant woman at Cheruvannur near Perambra in Kozhikode district on May 15 have raised suspicion over the circumstances leading to the blaze, with investigators reportedly ruling out major mechanical faults in the vehicle.

Raising concerns, a close relative of Sona Rijin Lal, the deceased woman, on Sunday sought a comprehensive investigation into the incident, alleging that there was something “mysterious” behind the fire in the rear part of the vehicle with a suspected explosion heard by the local residents.

The complainant also revealed to investigators that there were differences of opinion between the couple and certain unresolved familial issues related to a case.

It was around 9 p.m on May 15 that the woman, hailing from Kakkaramukku near Perambra, was burnt to death in the car. Though her husband, Rijin Lal, managed to escape with severe burns, she remained trapped inside the vehicle unable to open the locked doors.

According to police sources, the incident took place when the couple was coming home after consulting a gynaecologist.

Police sources said several questions, including those raised by the woman’s family members surrounding the incident, remained unanswered and that the blaze appeared to have occurred under suspicious circumstances. They said a detailed investigation, with forensic support, was under way into the statements made by some rescue operators and the family members related to a suspected explosion in the car.

No engine malfunction

According to a senior police officer, the preliminary inspections conducted in the vehicle with the support of experts had already ruled out any major engine malfunction or mechanical defect. The scientific observation results prompted investigators to examine the possibility of the presence of any explosive or inflammable substance inside the car at the time of the incident, he said.

The couple had entered into a registered marriage after being in a relationship for several years. According to some of the relatives of the deceased who gave statements to the police, there were some legal disputes earlier as Rijin Lal reportedly tried to withdraw from the marriage proposal. Even after the marriage, she was not properly taken care of by the husband who was abroad for a few years, they alleged.

Meanwhile, police sources from Meppayur station said all aspects of the case, including forensic evidence, witness statements and family allegations, would be examined in detail as part of the ongoing investigation. They said the statement of the husband, now under intensive care in Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, would also be recorded soon to proceed with the probe.