Hospital employee set ablaze by live-in partner at hospital premises; accused in critical condition

KUNDARA: In a horrific incident, a woman working as a cleaner at a dental hospital was brutally attacked by her live-in partner, who poured petrol on her and set her ablaze at the hospital premises. The attacker also sustained serious burns as a large quantity of petrol was spilt on his body as well. Santhosh, a native of Puliyil, and Raji, a native of Sangha Kadamukku, suffered severe burns and are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Santhosh is said to be in critical condition.

The incident took place at a private dental clinic in Nallila yesterday afternoon. Santhosh is undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, while Raji has been admitted to Kollam District Hospital. Raji, who was abandoned by her first husband, had been living together with Santhosh for the past few years.

On Saturday afternoon, Santosh came to the clinic and engaged in a verbal altercation with Raji. During the altercation, Santhosh poured petrol from a bottle he was holding onto Raji's body. However, Raji deflected the bottle with her hand, causing the petrol to spill onto Santhosh's body instead. Simultaneously, Santhosh lit a lighter in his left hand, igniting the petrol and engulfing both bodies in flames. Local residents rushed to the scene, extinguished the fire, and rushed both victims to the hospital.