Apparently frustrated over not being able to get a job in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, a 25-year-old woman on Monday allegedly tried to commit suicide by immolating herself outside the civic body's headquarters in south Mumbai.
The victim, Renuka Mahadik, sustained 70 per cent burns and was being treated at the J J hospital. Her condition was stated to be out of danger, police said.
Her brother Vikas Salve accompanied Renuka when the incident occurred, police said, adding preliminary probe suggested it was a suicide attempt.
However, officials were also probing if Vikas had set the victim on fire, police said.
"According to eye witnesses, the victim engulfed in flames was running on the Mahanagar Palika road, screaming for help at around 5 pm. She fell down in front of the BMC headquarters with burn injuries. Vikas was trying to douse the fire," Assistant Police Commissioner Suresh Marathe said.
She was rushed to nearby G T hospital, from where she was later taken to J J hospital with 70 per cent burn injuries, he said.
A bottle and match box was recovered from the spot, Marathe said.
Although the victim's statement has not been recorded, as she was unable to talk as yet, initial probe suggested she had come to meet someone in the BMC headquarters in connection with her job.
"Renuka's husband Ravindra, who was a BMC worker, had died one-and-a-half years ago. Since then she was trying to get a job in his place," Marathe said.
The victim, a resident of Girgaon in south Mumbai, had visited the civic body's Andheri ward office and the headquarters on several occasions, he said, adding but nothing seemed to have worked for her following which she might have tried to kill herself.
City Mayor Shraddha Jadav, who visited the spot, assured she would look into the matter if it was anything to do with BMC's job.
"It is learnt that she was looking for job in the BMC. I will check and do the needful for the family," Jadav said.
