Patna: A 40-year-old married woman was burnt alive allegedly by her husband, who is with the Indian Army, late Saturday night for opposing his extra-marital affair in Buxar, around 170km west of Patna.

The incident occurred around 11.30pm when the woman, identified as Sunita Devi, was sleeping in her house that falls under the jurisdiction of Bagen police station. The woman had a fight with her husband Rajendra Singh, 46, over his relationship with another woman.

"Rajendra, a soldier with the Army, allegedly poured petrol on his wife and set her on fire. She died in the incident and the body was disposed by the family members," alleged the deceased's brother, Sunil Singh, who lodged a police complaint against Rajendra and his three close relatives.

Sunil, a resident of Kaura village that falls under the jurisdiction of Jagdishpur police station in the neighbouring Bhojpur district, claimed that Rajendra was seen with a widow of Danapur in Patna when he came to his native village on a leave during Holi.

Rajendra mercilessly assaulted his wife when she opposed his relationship with the widow and threatened to inform the Union Home ministry and the Army headquarters about his activities. On Saturday, the couple had again fought over the issue, alleged Sunil in his complaint.

The station house officer of Bagen police station, Dinesh Kumar Singh, said an FIR has been lodged on the statement of the deceased's brother Sunil. The accused identified as Rajendra alias Munna Singh, his mother Kalawati Devi, two brothers - Dinanath Singh and Bajrangi Singh - are absconding after the incident.

"The house of the accused was found locked from outside when the police visited his house on Sunday morning," Dinesh said, adding that the statement of the deceased's neighbours has also been recorded. They substantiated the charges levelled against the Army jawan posted in Delhi.

Sunil earlier told the police that Sunita was living in Delhi with Rajendra and elder son for treatment of her ailment. The couple, who has two kids, had returned to their native village on Holi.