On September 13, Nikita Das, a newlywed from West Bengal, suffered severe burns when a barbecue at a homestay in Sittong, Darjeeling, erupted unexpectedly.
CCTV footage captured a man pouring liquid into the fire, after which flames suddenly surged toward Nikita, engulfing her in seconds. The video, now trending on social media, shows her falling and her husband, Souvik, rushing to her side.
She was first taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated her for extensive burns, before being transferred to a private nursing home in Siliguri. The nursing home staff confirmed her condition remains critical.
A first information report has been lodged against the homestay operators for alleged negligence, and police investigators are examining whether safety protocols were in place during the barbecue.
The couple, who married about two months ago, had chosen Sittong for their honeymoon. Souvik, who is still recovering from the shock, expressed frustration over the lack of emergency assistance from the homestay.