Minor burnt alive by lover in Kovai

After convincing the 17-year-old girl that he too would end his life, the youth set her on fire and fled the scene. 

The girl, a native of Tirupur district and an orphan, was a Class 12 student in a government school and lived with her 70-year-old grandmother at Negamam in Pollachi. 

“The girl hailed from the SC community, while her boyfriend Selvakumar, 25, is a weaver and a caste Hindu from the same neighbourhood,” police said.

According to police, the grandmother had recently come to know of their relationship and had met Selvakumar’s parents to put an end to it. However, the two continued to meet. 

A few days ago, the boy visited the girl’s house in the absence of the grandmother. “The grandmother, who came to know of it, chided her granddaughter and forbade her to meet the boy. Depressed over the developments, both Selvakumar and Jansi decided to commit suicide as both their families did not approve of their relationship,” police said. 

On Sunday, Selvakumar came to the girl’s house, when the 70-year-old was away at church. “They both chose to hang, but dropped the plan. They then decided upon self-immolation. But the man poured kerosene over the girl and set her ablaze before fleeing,” police said. 

Neighbours immediately took the girl to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). As she had suffered 90 per cent burns, attempts to save her failed. Negamam police have registered a case and are investigating. A manhunt has been launched for Selvakumar.

On Sunday, Selvakumar came to the girl’s house, when the 70-year-old grandmother was away at church. They both chose to hang, but dropped the plan. They then decided upon self-immolation. But the man set the girl ablaze before fleeing, police said.