Live-in partner burns woman to death suspecting fidelity

The deceased was identified as Devi. Her husband died in a riot in the then Madras Central Prison after which she developed a relationship with Thangaraj, a real estate broker. While Devi’s two daughters were married, Devi moved in with Thangaraj six years ago to a house on Bajanai Koil Street in Padi.

Thangaraj often fought with Devi suspecting her fidelity. On Monday night, a quarrel erupted between them after which Devi asked Thangaraj for money to pay the house rent. Thangaraj, who was inebriated, allegedly doused Devi with kerosene and set her ablaze.

Devi was rescued by neighbours who rushed her to the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. However, she succumbed to the burns on Tuesday morning.

In the statement recorded by the magistrate on Monday night, Devi said that Thangaraj poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. The Korattur police registered a case and arrested Thangaraj from his hideout on Tuesdaymorning. Thangaraj also has two sons from his previous marriage.

In another incident, a 40-year-old man stabbed his wife during a quarrel in Vyasarpadi on Monday night. The accused, Pandian, is a daily wage labourer and also has a pork farm, said the police.

His wife Veerammal is a housewife and the couple has three daughters. On Monday night, a quarrel erupted between them as Pandian came home drunk. Pandian stabbed Veerammal several times with a kitchen knife. The neighbours who came to her rescue rushed her to the Stanley Medical College Hospital where she has been admitted in a critical condition. The Vyasarpadi police registered a case and arrested Pandian, who was remanded in custody on Tuesday.