Kolkata, March 12: A 35-year-old nurse in West Bengal's Cooch Behar has died after her husband allegedly set her on fire during a heated dispute over a car EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) payment. The victim, identified as Chhanda Roy, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital on Thursday, March 12. According to the police, the incident occurred at their residence on Wednesday, following months of financial strain and recurring domestic arguments regarding the couple's vehicle loan.

The situation escalated when the husband, identified as Ranjit Roy, reportedly doused Chhanda in a flammable liquid and ignited it in the heat of the argument. Neighbours who heard the victim's screams rushed to the house and managed to extinguish the flames, but Rakhi had already sustained critical burns covering more than 70% of her body. While Gautam also suffered minor burn injuries during the struggle, he was taken into police custody immediately after receiving medical attention. West Bengal Shocker: Student Found Dead in Hostel Bathroom at IQ City Medical College Hospital in Durgapur After Exam Failure.

Nurse Dies After Husband Sets Her on Fire Over Car EMI Dispute in West Bengal

Investigations reveal that the couple had been experiencing severe financial friction for several months. Chhanda, who worked as a senior nurse at a private nursing home in West Bengal, was reportedly the primary breadwinner for the family. The conflict specifically centered on a high-value car EMI that Gautam had reportedly insisted on taking out, despite the family's tightening budget.

According to family members, Ranjit had been unemployed for a period, placing the entire burden of the vehicle's monthly installments on Rakhi. On the night of the incident, a fresh argument broke out when Chhanda suggested selling the car to settle their mounting debts, a proposal that Gautam allegedly met with violent resistance. West Bengal Shocker: BLO Calls Lover’s Husband for ‘SIR’, Kills Him, Chops Body, Dumps Pieces.

The police stated that the attack appeared to be an act of "sudden provocation" that turned fatal. After the argument reached a boiling point, Ranjit allegedly retrieved a container of petrol from his motorcycle parked in the courtyard and used it to set his wife ablaze inside their bedroom.

Ranjit has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 103 (Murder). Police have also recovered the container used in the crime and are questioning other family members to determine if there were prior complaints of domestic abuse or dowry harassment.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 12, 2026 11:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).