Woman set ablaze at Ponneri government hospital, suspect shot in leg

A woman contract worker at the Ponneri Government Hospital in Tiruvallur district suffered severe burn injuries after a man allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire on Monday evening. The suspect was later shot in the leg by police while attempting to escape after allegedly attacking a police sub-inspector with a sickle. Vinoth, 40, of Upparapalayam in Thadaperumbakkam panchayat near Ponneri, works as a crane operator. His wife Rajeshwari, 35, is employed as a contract worker at the Ponneri Government Hospital. The couple have two sons. Rajeshwari had completed her duty at the hospital’s emergency department and was leaving for home at around 7.30 p.m. when a man allegedly approached her inside the hospital premises, poured petrol on her and set her ablaze. Rajeshwari ran towards the emergency department screaming for help as the flames spread across her body. Hospital staff rushed to her assistance and managed to put out the fire. She sustained severe burn injuries and was given first aid at the hospital before being shifted to Kilpauk Government Hospital in Chennai for further treatment. Reports said she suffered burns over around 48 per cent of her body. Ponneri police reached the hospital after receiving information about the incident and launched an investigation. Police examined CCTV footage and questioned hospital staff and others present at the scene. A case was registered and a search was launched for the suspect.
Meanwhile, police received information that Prakash, who was allegedly involved in the attack on Rajeshwari, was hiding in the Ponneri cremation ground. Police teams rushed to the spot and attempted to apprehend him. When police tried to catch him, Prakash allegedly attacked Sub-Inspector Tamilarasan with a sickle and attempted to flee. Inspector Sivakumar then fired at Prakash’s leg in self-defence, according to police reports. Prakash sustained injuries and was taken to a government hospital for treatment.Sub-Inspector Tamilarasan, who was injured in the sickle attack, was also admitted to hospital for treatment. Police are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack on Rajeshwari.