Angry over break-up, man sets ex-girlfriend on fire in Chennai

CHENNAI: A youth set his ex-girlfriend on fire in full public view near Navalur on Wednesday night, enraged that she had ended their relationship. The woman, 19-year-old Gayathri, is battling for life at a private hospital at Kelambakkam.
Gayathri, who is from Cuddalore, was in the second year of her B Tech course at a private engineering college at Navalur and was staying in a women’s hostel. Police said she had been in a relationship with her cousin, Rathnam, while she was in school. After joining college, she ended the relationship and stopped all communication with him.

On Wednesday evening, Rathnam, who works at a private firm in Koyambedu, told Gayathri he wanted to meet her and discuss an “important matter”. Gayathri left her hostel, citing an emergency, and agreed to meet him on the road. Rathnam tried to persuade her to resume their relationship, but when she refused, an argument ensued.

As the argument escalated, Rathnam poured petrol on her and doused himself with the fuel. He then set her on fire using a lighter. Hearing the victim’s screams, people rushed to her aid. They caught Rathnam, who attempted to flee the scene, and handed him over to the Thazhambur police.
Police registered a case of attempted murder. Investigations revealed that Rathnam purchased petrol from a nearby fuel station. Police said he came with the intention of confronting Gayathri, whom he suspected of being involved with another man.