Woman killed for 'kissing' Rahul Gandhi was not at venue: Police

The Assam police said that 35-year-old Bonti Chutia, allegedly set afire by her husband who assumed she was among a group of women kissing Rahul Gandhi at a function, was not at the venue.

Jorhat superintendent of police Amanjeet Kaur said: "She was not the one who had kissed Gandhi. Around 7,000-7,500 women were at the stadium near the venue. We talked to her friends and many others.They told us she was at the stadium, not at the venue."

Gandhi had, on Wednesday, interacted with a group of women in Jorhat, for an empowerment programme. At least two women were seen kissing him there.

Bontia, who was a panchayat member of Bekajan village, was among those who came but was not shortlisted. When she returned home, her husband, Someswar, picked a quarrel with her.

At midnight, both were admitted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital with serious burns. The woman succumbed to her injuries soon after. The man was later referred to Dibrugarh Medical College and Hospital.

The police said it was not clear whether the woman self-immolated or the man set her on fire. They said it was also not clear how Someswar got burnt.

"Apparently, a family feud triggered the incident. There is no clarity because we haven't been able to take the man's statement. He has sustained 40 per cent burn injuries. We're trying to take the couple's minor son's statement," Kaur told dna.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has claimed the incident was a result of family discord. "It has nothing to do with Gandhi's visit. It is being spread in the media as part of a conspiracy by vested interests," he said.