An elderly couple living at Lakshmikanthanagar in city was allegedly terrorised by their 26-year-old grand-daughter who set a wooden swing and cushions inside their house on fire yesterday. The fire quickly spread to other furniture in the room, destroying them. The couple, however, did not register a Police complaint and have told the Police that it was a small issue and they would not like to file a complaint.

The woman, who set the house on fire, has been identified as Priyadarshini, grand-daughter of 78-year-old Somasunder and 73-year-old Leelavathi. They are the residents of Lakshmikanthanagar at Hebbal near the Prashantha Ganapathy Temple. Somasunder is a retired BEML employee.

According to neighbours, Priyadarshini often used to threaten her grand-parents for not giving her money. She is a college dropout and was allegedly in the habit of drinking and smoking. Priyadarshini’s parents had separated and she had lost her mother Madhurani about two-and-a-half years ago. The elderly couple have two sons and one son is settled in Bengaluru while the other son lived in London.

Priyadarshini often used to fight with her grand-parents and even beat them, the Police and neighbours said. Many times she used to create ruckus in front of their house in drunken stupor. The girl had failed in her PUC exams and had taken up modelling as a career and was taking baby steps in the field.

Of late, she came into contact with many youths and were addicted to drugs, smoking and alcohol. Upset by her behaviour, her grand-parents had advised her to quit her vices. They had also taken exception to her going around with boys and bringing them home for late-night parties.

Yesterday afternoon too, she demanded money from her grand-parents and Somasunder chided her for her wayward ways and refused to part with the money. She warned her grand-parents about their interference in her life and told them she would beat them up and set them on fire. Somasunder, however, stood his ground and refused to give her money.

An enraged Priyadarshini then set fire to the wooden swing and cushions and left the house in a huff. Soon, the fire spread and neighbours, who saw smoke coming out of the house, rushed in and rescued the elderly couple. Soon, the Fire and Emergency Services were called to douse the fire.

However, no one was injured in the incident. DCP (Law and Order) Dr. H.T. Shekar said the incident happened around 12.30 pm. The elderly couple is not willing to file a case against their grand-daughter who had lost her mother at a young age and was abandoned by her father later, he said.

Hebbal Police Station Inspector Thimmegowda told Star of Mysore this morning that though Priyadarshini’s grand-parents did not file a complaint, they had questioned her last evening. During questioning, Priyadarshini told the Police that she was an alcoholic and cannot survive without liquor.

“After assessing her condition, we have sent her to Mahila Seva Kendra in Vijayanagar and we will see what steps can be taken to de-addict her,” Inspector Thimmegowda said.