64-year-old ailing woman sets herself on fire, dies in Behala
Times of India | 22 August 2025
Kolkata: A 64-year-old elderly woman was found dead from severe burn injuries at her residence located at Bakultala's Parui Daspara area of Behala.
The incident was reported early on Thursday morning with cops stating that the victim – Sarbani Paul alias Beena – had died by suicide by pouring kerosene on herself and setting herself on fire. In her suicide note, she blamed her illness and hinted at her anxiety over who should take care of her in such a state but blamed no one for her decision. The victim's only son, who has settled in Chicago in the USA, has been informed and is expected to fly to Kolkata soon. The local Parnasree Police were alerted around 7.35 a.
m. by a call to the emergency services number, 100 Dial at Lalbazar. Mrinal Kanti Paul, (70), Sarbani's husband, said, that he had awoken up around 7.10 a.
m, unlocked the main door, and went up to the first floor where his wife usually slept. "To his shock, he found her lying on the balcony, severely burnt and unresponsive. The scene suggested a deliberate act, as a green plastic bottle of kerosene and a gas lighter were found nearby. A suicide note was also discovered on a table in the first-floor bedroom, in which Sarbani expressed her decision to end her life due to her deteriorating health and explicitly stated that no one else was responsible for her death," said DC (Behala-SWD) Rahul De. Sarbani, said sources, had been suffering from a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, sciatica pain, and kidney ailments. "These conditions had severely restricted her mobility, confining her to the first floor of their home, while her husband resided on the ground floor. The couple's son, who lives in Chicago, was unable to be with them after himself undergoing a divorce, adding to her sense of isolation and concern for the future. Neighbours reported that Sarbani was deeply worried about her husband's health as well, as he too was battling anemia and other age-related illnesses," said an investigating officer. Despite these challenges, the family was not facing financial difficulties, said neighbours. Mrinal, a well-known musician and teacher, had managed to save enough money, and their son regularly sent financial support from abroad. The police have confirmed that no complaints have been filed and that an unnatural death case has been initiated. The body was taken to Vidyasagar State General Hospital, where the attending doctor declared Sarbani brought dead at 9.45 am. Cops are making arrangements for an inquest and post-mortem.