Probe ordered after woman committed 'Sati' in Bihar

A probe has been ordered into a 70-year-old woman allegedly committing "Sati" by jumping into the funeral pyre of her husband Saturday in a Bihar village, an official said Tuesday.

Saharsa District Magistrate Sashi Bhusan Kumar said he has already ordered an inquiry into the case. "After we came to know about the incident (Sati), I ordered a probe," he said.

Gahwa Devi committed "Sati" Saturday evening in Parmania village, Saharsa district, about 220 km from Patna.

"Some people offered prayers at the spot, where she had committed 'Sati', by burning incense, offered flowers and sang religious songs," a villager said.

However, Saharsa Superintendent of Police Pankaj Sinha expressed his ignorance about any such incident. He later said police will inquire into the matter.

According to police officials, some villagers informed them that Gahwa Devi jumped into the funeral pyre of her husband after her family members left the cremation ground.

When Gahwa Devi's family did not find her at home, they rushed to the cremation ground and found her dead, villagers said.