CHENNAI: A charred body of an unidentified man was found within the premises of a government school in Pudhur in Ashok Nagar here on Wednesday night.

The body had severe burns, indicating that petrol had been poured on the person before he was set ablaze.

Eyewitnesses reported that he ran towards the school hostel before collapsing and succumbing to the burns.

Ashok Nagar Police Station has registered a case under suspicious death and a preliminary investigation is under way to determine the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A forensic team and a dog squad visited the scene of the crime to gather possible leads. CCTV footage too is being perused, police said.

Meanwhile, the deceased's body has been taken to the Royapettah Government Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.