Durgapur, March 3: The principal of an ICSE school here and her husband have been accused of setting their domestic help on fire after she allegedly saw “something” in their house.

Joba Sahu, 42, is now in the Durgapur Steel Plant Hospital with 80 per cent burns.

The principal was charged with murder once earlier, after her previous help Baisakhi Sain, 16, was found hanging in her quarters in 2003.

Joba’s son Laltu lodged an FIR last night. Police said an “attempt to murder” case has been started against Subha Narayan and her husband, who are absconding.

Durgapur additional superintendent of police D.S. Rudra said she had been chargesheeted and trial was on. Subha’s husband was not an accused in this case.

“This time, we are looking for the school principal and her husband. We will record Jaba’s statement when she recovers,” said Rudra.

A doctor at the hospital, who is also a neighbour of the principal in the Kalidas Road area of the steel township, said: “She (Joba) is in a gasping condition and can’t speak. She sustained at least 80 per cent burns.”

According to the complaint, on the night of February 26 the principal and her husband tried to kill Joba after she witnessed something at the house.

Police said the Nrayans’ neighbours brought in a severely burnt Joba to the Hospital that night. The same night, Laltu got a phone call in Khatra, Bankura, where he works, from the couple. Subha’s husband told Laltu that his mother had met with an accident and she had been hospitalised.

“The call came to my neighbour’s phone. The man asked me to rush to Durgapur. I reached the township early next morning and learnt about the incident from local residents. The principal and her husband had disappeared from their home. I became suspicious,” said Laltu, 24, who works at a sweetmeats shop.

“I went to see my mother at the hospital but could not speak to her as her condition was critical,” he added.

The police said the couple were missing since February 26. The principal’s house was under lock and key today and a private security guard was on duty outside. He said: “I don’t know where madam is.”

The vice-principal of Subha’s school said: “Our principal is out of station.”