Woman kills mum-in-law, sets body on fire using mustard oil

A 29-year-old mother of three landed behind the bars within eight hours of bludgeoning her physically challenged mother-in-law to death in east Delhi's Mandawali on Wednesday.

In an attempt to make it look like an accidental death, the accused tried to set the body on fire using mustard oil.

The victim was identified as Swarna, 62. She used to live on a first-floor apartment, while her son and daughter-in-law lived on the second floor. The neighbours informed the police about fumes coming from the house early on Tuesday.

A police team reached the spot to find the woman's semi-burnt body in a pool of blood, with mustard oil spilled all around her.

According to the police, close inspection of the crime spot suggested an insider's role. Initial questioning also revealed that the deceased woman and her daughter-in-law Kanchan used to have heated arguments regularly.

"Intense questioning of the family members helped the cops zero down on Kanchan. When she was confronted with certain facts, she broke down and confessed to the crime," a senior police officer said.
DCP (East) Omvir Singh said Kanchan disclosed that after a long quarrel over family issues, she first hit Swarna on her forehead with a wooden stick.

"When the elderly woman collapsed, in order to make it look like an accident, she poured mustard oil on her tried to set the body ablaze.

She then went to her room on the second floor and changed out of her blood and oil soaked clothes," he said. Singh added: "The two women had acrimonious relations. Thelatest fight had erupted over Kanchan's child crying loudly on Monday night."

Insider’s job

According to the police, close inspection of the crime spot suggested an insider’s role. 
Initial questioning also revealed that the victim and her daughter-in-law Kanchan used to have heated argument.