Chennai: Woman on fire hugs boyfriend to death

On Friday in New Washermenpet, a 34-year-old woman set ablaze by her partner at her residence. She ensured that he also died by embracing him tightly. As the duo sustained severe burns, they died of burns at the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. In her dying declaration, the woman told police that her partner had set her on fire and she had caught hold of him because she was scared and was not with an intention of harming him.

Police said Malar alias Thanga Malar was a widow. Her husband Prakash was a local rowdy and was hacked to death in 2013 by a gang in a hospital where he undewent treatment. Just after his death or even before, Malar began a relationship with her neighbour, Raja. In addition to this, Malar also became close to another man named Gajendran. Raja knew her relationship with Gajendran and asked her to end the relationship. The two fought over the topic regularly, added police.

On the day of incident, Raja saw Malar speaking to Gajendran at market and tackled her in the evening. A brawl resulted and Malar apparently told him to mind his business as he was not her legal partner.

Fuming Raja poured kerosene over her and set her aflame and tried to abscond. But the woman caught him and embraced him. Hearing the screams, residents of the area rushed in and moved them to the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital where Malar died on Friday night. However, Raja died on Saturday morning.