A well-educated couple has been booked by the Sahakarnagar police for allegedly attempting to murder their domestic help, Pushpa Kisan Vibhute, 48, by setting her on fire after a dispute over money.
Pushpa, a resident of Shri Ram Niwas in Ambegoan Budruk, lodged a first information report at Sahakarnagar police station. She has been admitted to Sassoon General Hospital with 90% burn injuries and her condition is critical.
The suspects — Shailesh Lohakare is an architect and his wife Prachi a software professional — reside at Samarth Sunoko Heights, a residential complex at Chaitanyanagar in Dhankavdi.
The couple too was injured in the incident and was admitted to Surya Hospital. They are yet to be arrested.
Sub-inspector MB Kale, who is investigating the case, said on Sunday morning the victim and the couple had heated arguments over money.
“Prachi suddenly threw kerosene over her and set her on fire. Later they tried to save her and suffered burns. We have quizzed the couple and they have accused the maid of trying to kill them. We are probing into the matter,” he added.
Pushpa’s son Balaji told DNA that his mother had worked at the couple’s house for over five years. “She was being paid Rs2,500 every month. But Shailesh proposed to my mother that they would purchase a property in the locality in her name. Consequently, they gave her Rs500 a month and kept the rest with them so that they could purchase the property,” he added.
Now the victim demanded that the couple give her the property they had assured or else give the amount that was with them.
A member of the Pune Zilla Ghar Kamgar Sanghatana, an union of domestic workers, advocate Milind Sahasrabuddhe met the victim. The outfit has demanded stringent action against the couple.
