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For Vidya Prabhudesai's family, the horror won't go away

Our Correspondent in Bombay

For the family of Vidya Prabhudesai, who was set afire by Rasik Solanki in broad daylight in a busy Bombay street, the horror of June 23 will never go away.

Purshottam Prabhudesai, her 82-year-old father, has secluded himself to one corner of the house and refuses to speak about the incident to either family members or strangers.

Vidya was on her way to work at the Reserve Bank of India, when Solanki, a spurned suitor, doused her in kerosene and set her afire. She sustained 95 per cent burns and was admitted to B Y L Nair Hospital. Later she was shifted to Kasturba Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Vidya's eldest sister Vaishali Bapat told rediff.com, "My father has stopped talking about her. If anyone does, he asks them to keep quiet. He says he is already grieving within and does not want anyone to console him."

Bapat says, "He gets angry when anyone mentions the incident. But within our hearts we all are still grieving for Vidya. Many times at night I still remember Vidya's cheerful face and wonder why she had to die such a horrendous death."

"My sister, Varsha, called the Agripada police station to ask about the progress of the case. We were told that we will have to be present in court later. That too will be a traumatic experience but we want to see that justice is done."

The family is yet to approach the RBI for Vidya's dues. Bapat says, "We were not in right frame of mind. We will go to her office soon."

Even as Vidya's family grieves, 50-year-old Solanki regrets that he is still alive. Depressed and heart broken, Solanki does not want to live any more. That's the reason, say doctors at Nair hospital, that he took such a long time to recover and was in the intensive care unit for a month.

After setting Vidya afire, Solanki went to his house at Tardeo and consumed Tik 20, an insecticide, to kill himself. But the neighbours realised that something was wrong and rushed him immediately to Nair hospital.

The Agripada police also arrived at the hospital with Vidya's body. Her cousin recognised Solanki as the "ladies tailor" who would often visit Vidya and told the police that he could have set her afire.

Police Inspector Firoze Patel, who investigated the case, says, "The people who witnessed the incident were not co-operative, so it was a good break that the cousin recognised Solanki."

Patel says the police could not speak to Solanki immediately. Doctors at the hospital explained that the insecticide has a badly damaged his respiratory system. Hence the Agripada police decided to wait till he recovered.

Solanki was declared medically fit on July 25 - more than a month after the incident. That day the police took his statement and he was produced in court the next. He is now in judicial custody.

Patel says, "Vidya and Solanki got to know each other over the sale of a sewing machine. Vidya, who wanted to sell the machine, was introduced to Solanki by her uncle. After that he would often meet her and offer her flowers and coconut water.

"They knew each other for nearly a year. During that time, Solanki proposed to her thrice. But each time Vidya refused."

"Hence in a fit of anger he killed her. On June 23, Solanki proposed to again. When she refused, he set her afire," Patel said.

EARLIER REPORTS
Woman set ablaze in Bombay street
No one had the time to help Vidya

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