Bhubaneswar, Oct. 2: Nilam Biswal, a 30-year-old native of Deogarh, had never imagined that marriage would shatter her life.

Nilam, a graduate from Deogarh College, worked in a private school as a teacher for seven years before getting married in Bhubaneswar.

At present, she is recovering at a private hospital in the city after her mother-in-law allegedly set her on fire at Kharavela Nagar on Sunday.

Neighbours rescued her and rushed her to the hospital. Her family members, however, said that she was stable now.

She is expected to be discharged from the hospital after 15 more days.

Her married life was never smooth. “My parents had given Rs 5 lakh as dowry, along with gold ornaments weighing around 150 grams. But my in-laws were demanding a car. They have been abusing me both physically and mentally all these years. But when I told them that my parents were not in a position to give any more dowry, my mother-in-law set me on fire,” said Nilam, adding that her husband did not come to rescue her.

Nilam also said that she married without knowing that her would-be husband was not mentally fit.

“My parents were told that my husband worked as a manager in an insurance company. But after few days of our marriage, I found that he never went to his office. He used to sleep most of the times. He was also taking a number of pills. Later, I found that he was on many psychotropic drugs,” she said.

Nilam got married in January, 2012.

She also said that her in-laws never allowed her to interact with neighbours.

“They were always afraid that I might go and tell the neighbours about the torture. Nilam also demanded arrest of his father-in-law and other family members of her husband. The police have already arrested her mother-in-law and husband.

“A case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Further actions would be taken on the basis of investigation,” said a senior police official.