A Lombok man died in hospital yesterday after being set ablaze by his enraged wife, whom he allegedly struck during a violent argument on Saturday afternoon.
The quarrel, which unfolded at their home in the village of Pandanwangi, East Lombok, was reportedly triggered by the husband’s refusal to share his cellphone password.
The victim, identified as Dedi Purnama, 26, had been busy repairing the roof tiles of his house, when his wife, 25-year-old Ilham Cahyani, asked for the code to open his cell phone. Much to Cahyani’s frustration, Purnama refused her request and the pair began to bicker, as reported by Detiknews.
Tensions increased, and an angry Purnama came down the ladder and allegedly struck his wife, sparking a physical encounter, according to Made Yogi, head of the East Lombok Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
At this point, Cahyani allegedly grabbed a can of gasoline and poured it over her husband’s body before setting him ablaze with a lighter.
An eyewitness, known only as “Oji,” told the paper that he ran over after seeing the incident unfold and helped extinguish the flames. The damage, however, was done.
Despite being taken to the nearby Keruak Health Center, where he was treated for two days, Purnama died as a result of the burns sustained.
Police are still investigating this case, and a number of witnesses have been questioned regarding the incident. Meanwhile, Cahyani is being detained at East Lombok Regional Police Station, according to okenews.
