Debtors set a Dalit woman's house on fire

Debtors set a Dalit woman's house on fire, leading to the destruction of her cash saving of Rs 50,000, the grain stored in the house and her dreams.

Kauser Bai Ahirwar from Dekpur village, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh found her house set on fire by two of her debtors, angered by her complaint against them. Her house was set on fire around 10 pm, on Sunday by Samundar Yadav and Golu Kumar.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiranlata Kirkitta told the media that Kauser Bai Ahirwar had given a loan of Rs 10,000 to the two accused.

On October 17, the three of them- Kauser Bai and the two accused, had an argument regarding the repayment of the loan. The woman then filed a police complaint against the two.

On learning about the complaint, the two men set the woman’s house on fire, which burnt down the cash of Rs 50,000, hay and the grains kept inside. The village revenue official is yet to evaluate the actual loss to Ahirwar, police said.

The SP added that the police have filed the case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 3(2) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and have arrested both of them.