A 24-year-old software professional died by self-immolation in a hotel room in Bengaluru, reportedly due to persistent blackmail by her uncle and aunt, police revealed on Thursday.

The victim’s uncle, identified as the primary accused, has been detained, and investigations are ongoing to uncover more details.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening at Radha Hometel, near Kundalahalli metro station, where the uncle had coerced the woman to meet him. Despite her initial resistance, the victim was forced to comply under threats of her private images and videos being shared with her parents.

Police reports suggest the woman carried petrol to the meeting, doused herself with it inside the room, and set herself on fire. She was later hospitalized but succumbed to her injuries.

According to Whitefield Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivakumar Gunar, the woman had been living with her uncle and aunt for six years and even accompanied them on trips. Her mother alleged the exploitation began during this period.

Officers recovered a pen drive from the accused, suspected to contain incriminating evidence. A case has been registered against both the uncle and his wife under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at HAL Police Station.

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