V Rajitha, 25, a Corporation employee lived with her widowed mother Venkatammal, 45 at Ananthanayaki Nagar. S Boopalan, 31, an engineering graduate, also working at the civic body, was a resident of the same neighbourhood.

The fire was noticed by neighbours around 4 am Friday, a police officer said. A 30-page note believed to be written by Boopalan was also recovered.

Inquires by the RK Nagar police revealed that Rajitha and Boopalan were reportedly in a relationship for the last 6-7 years. Of late, Rajitha was avoiding Boopalan as her family was looking out for a suitable groom after she got a job on compassionate grounds following the death of her father, also a civic body staff.

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