BANGALORE: A man allegedly killed his one-and-a-half year-old daughter and also made a vain bid to kill his wife by setting them on fire in front of their house at Manjunath Layout near T C Palya on Tuesday.According to police, the deceased has been identified as Chandana. His wife, Asha, 21, with more than 75 per cent burn injuries, is battling for life at the Victoria Hospital, they added.The incident occurred around 1:30 pm. The accused, Venugopal, 35, an earth mover driver, is said to be absconding now. The neighbours saw both the kid and woman crying for help, tried to save them by dousing the fire with water. While the baby succumbed to injuries on the spot, her mother was rushed to the hospital for treatment.It is suspected that the accused poured kerosene on the two, set them on fire, and then fled the scene.Police said that Venugopal was married to Asha’s elder sister Ashwini six years ago. She too had committed suicide by hanging unable to bear his physical torture. Subsequently, he was in jail and was released. Later, he convinced his mother-in-law and married Asha three years ago. He is said to be in an extra marital affair with another woman because of which he used to ill treat Asha and made her starve. Later, he stopped coming to her house.Noticing his behaviour, Asha filed a complaint of harassment against Venugopal. The judge advised him to mend his ways and directed him to make a house and take care of Asha’s needs.Asha, who gave a statement to the police in the hospital, said that her husband never heeded to the judge’s advice, so she brought it up to the judge’s notice last month. The judge strictly told him to make a separate house within a month. “Because of this reason, he came to the house on Tuesday, poured kerosene on me and my daughter and set us on fire. He said, You will complain to judge only if you are alive. Now what will you do?” she explained.Manjula, victim’s mother told Express that he tried to escape from the first crime after convincing her and marrying his younger daughter. Asha was staying with her mother at Byadarahalli on Magadi Road after he refused to give her food and shelter. Venugopal used to teach his son (born to the first wife) Likhith to call his paramour as his mother. Last Saturday, he came to her house and invited Asha to live in the new house. Then he took her to Hebbal along with the kid and abandoned them at midnight. “I went in an auto rickshaw and rescued them. After the incident he called me up and stated that he has not met Asha at all,” she added.
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