Murder allegations against Vishal, aged 26 and hailing from Kharar, were formally put in place on Wednesday by additional sessions judge Rajnish Garg because he allegedly burned his girlfriend alive in a Chandigarh Park. This occurrence took place on April 9, 2021, after they decided to end their romance and dispute about tying the knot.
Vishal, who worked at a mobile shop in Sector 22’s Bijwara Market, faces charges under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Rani, a 25-year-old housekeeper from Sohana village in Mohali. The charges are based on Rani’s dying declaration, which has been incorporated into the chargesheet as key evidence against Vishal.
According to police, Rani was seriously injured after Vishal reportedly hurled an inflammatory substance at her and lit her on fire at a park near the Sector 35 fuel pump. Emergency responders, including police officers Om Parkash and Surjit Singh, arrived on the site at about 3 a.m. after receiving a distress call. They discovered Rani in serious condition and brought her to the Government Multispecialty Hospital in Sector 16. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she died from her injuries a few hours later, having received 80% burns.
The court has deemed there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the murder charges, and the trial will commence on September 4, with the recording of prosecution witness statements.
The dispute between Vishal and Rani had escalated in recent months over issues related to marriage, leading to frequent arguments. The confrontation that led to the tragedy reportedly began when Rani visited Vishal for what she believed would be their final meeting before their breakup. During this meeting, both parties decided to return the gifts they had exchanged over the years, which were later found discarded in a park dustbin.
According to witnesses, Vishal was enraged and not only assaulted Rani but also lit her on fire after dousing her with flammable liquid. Despite witnesses’ efforts to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher, the damage was extensive and severe.
The story highlights the devastating consequences of personal disagreements, as well as the need to resolve interpersonal issues before they escalate into violence.
