A woman sustained severe burn injuries after her sister-in-law allegedly poured a pot of boiling rice on her following a family dispute in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali on Saturday afternoon.

The victim, Sharmin Begum, 28, wife of Dulal Pyada of Karpurkathi village, is undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, her family said.

According to family members, the incident occurred around 2:00pm while Sharmin was cooking rice on a clay stove in the kitchen. Her sister-in-law, Salma Begum, 22, was sitting nearby cutting vegetables when an argument broke out between them over a longstanding family dispute.

At one stage, Salma allegedly poured a pot of boiling rice over Sharmin, leaving her with burns on her neck, chest, back, arms and legs, family members alleged.

Hearing her screams, relatives and locals rushed to the scene and took Sharmin to Bauphal Upazila Health Complex. As her condition deteriorated, she was later referred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman, emergency medical officer at Bauphal Upazila Health Complex, said the boiling rice caused burns to around 20 percent of Sharmin's body. She was given primary treatment before being referred to the specialised burn hospital.

Sharmin's husband, Dulal Pyada, claimed that his sister, Salma, has been suffering from mental health problems and suddenly committed the act.

Md Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bauphal Police Station, said police visited the scene after receiving information about the incident.

Legal action will be taken following an investigation if the victim's family files a written complaint, the OC added.