Woman ‘torched by police’ dies in India

An Indian woman who had alleged that police forces had set her on fire in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has died.

Before her death, Neetu Dwivedi, 40, told a local judge on Tuesday morning that the officers had requested 100,000 rupees ($1,578) in bribes, which she refused to pay.

Dwivedi claimed before the judge and reporters that she had also been sexually harassed and humiliated by the police forces after she refused their request.

She had gone to the police station in the town of Barabanki to free her husband, who had been arrested for interrogation over a crime.

Denying the charge, the accused policemen said the woman had immolated herself.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has ordered an investigation into the incident and the officers have been suspended.