Woman set ablaze by friend in Chenkottukonam succumbs to injuries

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 46-year-old woman, who was allegedly set on fire by her friend in Chenkottukonam, died during treatment. She has been identified as Saritha of Somasoutham House near S N Public School in Chenkottukonam and wife of late Anil Kumar. Binu (50) of Chellamangalam Plavila House in Powdikonam, set her ablaze at 8.30 pm last night. He also set himself on fire.

Binu who came in an Activa scooter poured petrol on Saritha's body and set her on fire. He then doused himself with petrol and set him on fire. The locals came running hearing her screams and found burns all over her body. The fire was immediately extinguished after covering her with sacks and clothes. Saritha was shifted to the Medical College Hospital in an ambulance. The locals later found Binu behind the house with burns all over his body. He jumped into the well of the house while trying to save him. On being informed, the Kazhakoottam Fire Force arrived, took him out of the well and shifted him to the hospital.

Binu, a father of two children is an AC mechanic. Saritha was working as a helper in a private school bus. She has a daughter studying in college. The two children of the accused are studying in the school where Saritha was working. The locals told police that they have known each other for a long time. Saritha's husband died 10 years ago.

Meantime, while taking Binu to the hospital, he told police that Saritha asked him to buy five liters of petrol as her two-wheeler ran out of petrol. He then said that when he came with the petrol, she poured it on her body and his body and set fire. The Kazhakoottam police registered a case and started investigation. The police have recovered a machete and chilli powder mixed with sand from his scooter.