Woman Says Ex Tried to Burn Her Alive

HOUSTON (CN) - A woman claims in court that her ex-boyfriend beat her with a tire iron and threw her into a Dumpster, "then poured lighter fluid into the Dumpster and told (her) he was going to burn her alive": to perform a "bride burning," as in his ancestral home, Pakistan.

Amber Rose, 29, of Houston, sued her former boyfriend of 7 years, Hassan Gaddi, and his parents, Saeed and Shazia Gaddi, for $25 million in Harris County Court.

"Defendants are all of Pakistani descent, and defendant Saeed B. Gaddi hosts a Pakistani radio show concerned with Pakistani culture," the complaint states.

"A strong traditional Pakistani practice is the idea of bride-burning - a form of domestic violence performed in Pakistan and India. 'Bride burning' involves dousing a woman in kerosene and setting her on fire. Such practice accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths per year in South Asia. Bride burning is reserved for times in which families, especially in-laws, seek to allow the groom to obtain a better matrimonial match."

In her complaint in Harris County Court, Rose says she had no idea Gaddi was violent when she started dating him.

"Seven years later, after he had assaulted her multiple times, and after she repeatedly attempted to end the relationship, she believed it was finally over," the complaint states. "Gaddi, with the aid of his parents, had other plans.

"While enjoying a night out with friends, an enraged Gaddi kidnapped Rose with a car he borrowed from his mother. In the car, he continually beat her. He finally took her to a secluded location, where his father airs his popular radio show for the South Asian Community. After repeatedly beating her with a tire iron, Gaddi then threw her into a Dumpster, and tied down the lid. He then poured lighter fluid into the Dumpster and told Rose he was going to burn her alive. Fortunately, Gaddi was unable to light the fluid, and Ms. Rose narrowly escaped."

Gaddi was sentenced to 10 years probation and fined $10,000 last summer for kidnapping and aggravated assault, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Citing court records, the Chronicle reported that Rose escaped by jumping into the driver's seat of Gaddi's car and taking off while he looked for another lighter. "Gaddi hung onto the car and was dragged a short distance," the Chronicle reported.

According to Rose's complaint, "Police subsequently arrested Hassan Gaddi and found needles and cocaine in his car."

Rose claims Gaddi's parents contributed to her miseries: "Defendants Saeed B. Gaddi and Shaza Gaddi knew about Hassan's propensity for violence and substance abuse at the time of plaintiff's kidnapping," the complaint states. "Hassan's parents had repeatedly criticized Hassan about the plaintiff. Hassan's parents, tellingly, knew that their son had previously assaulted plaintiff. Further, Saeed and Shazia knew that their son was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol on the night of the incident, and further that he was very distressed and enraged after plaintiff ended the relationship. Despite knowing about his drug use, and his mental state, Saeed and Shazia Gaddi provided Hassan with a car, money, a secluded physical location, and a tire iron - all the necessary elements Hassan needed to kidnap and burn Ms. Rose alive."

Hassan Gaddi's attorney, Chip Lewis, told the Houston Chronicle that the incident was "just another example of Amber Rose extortion."

"Before we settled the criminal case, she made numerous attempts to extort the guy's family," Lewis said, according to the Chronicle.

Rose, a nursing student, has been seeing a psychiatrist since the incident, her attorney Anthony Buzbee told the Chronicle.

She seeks punitive damages from Hassan Gaddi for assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress; and from his parents for aiding and abetting, negligent entrustment of their vehicle and negligence.

She is represented by Anthony Buzbee.

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