Bhubaneswar, May 28: As women in the city today observed Savitri — fasting for the well being of their husbands — police said a 24-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her spouse at Damana near Chandrashekharpur.

Family members of the woman, identified as Tapaswini Sahu, a native of Nayagada, alleged that her husband, Laxmidhar Sahu, set her on fire for dowry.

Alekha Sahu, the deceased’s father, said they received a phone call from Tapaswini’s neighbours regarding the incident and when they reached the Capital Hospital, Tapaswini had already been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital.

“We have given cash and other assets worth Rs 4 lakh during their marriage. But my son-in-law has been demanding another Rs 50,000 to start his business. My daughter’s in-laws used to torture her and they had even tried to set her afire twice in the past,” alleged Alekha.

The police said the couple had married in February 2009 and had a three-year-old son and a one-and-a-half years old daughter.

The couple were staying in a rented house at Damana and Laxmidhar was doing a petty business at Barmunda bus terminal.

The couple had moved to their rented accommodation in Bhubaneswar two months after their marriage.

The family members of the deceased alleged that the degree of physical and mental torture went further after she had delivered the girl child.

“Since the birth of her daughter, her husband used to assault her. I came to her residence on May 25 with Savitri offerings and she narrated her plight. The next day, I returned to my village,” said Alekha.

Tapaswini, an intermediate, was the lone daughter of her parents along with her two younger brothers.

Laxmidhar has been absconding since the incident. Neighbours of the deceased rescued Tapaswini and rushed her to Capital Hospital with more than 50 per cent burn injuries. “We learnt that her husband had left their children somewhere, and we are yet to trace them,” said Alekha.

Inspector in charge of Mahila police station Sujata Panda said a case had been registered in this connection and efforts were on to nab the deceased’s husband.