Female hospital worker set ablaze in Tamil Nadu, man arrested after police shoot him in leg

The 26-year-old woman suffered around 50% burns and is undergoing treatment in Chennai, while police are probing the motive behind the attack.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly throwing petrol on a 26-year-old woman and setting her ablaze, leaving her seriously injured, at the district government hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur, police said.

The father and son duo were arrested by the Chennai Police early Thursday. (Getty Images) (Representative photo)

Tiruvallur district is located about 50 km to the west of Chennai.

According to police, the incident took place on Monday night when the assailant, identified as 35-year-old Prakash set ablaze Rajeshwari, who works as a temporary employee at the hospital. The attack took place as Rajeshwari was leaving the hospital premises, said officers.

She suffered around 50% burn injuries and is under treatment at the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital in Chennai, police said.

Meanwhile, Prakash was caught in Madhavaram early Tuesday after he was shot in the leg when he allegedly tried to attack police with a sickle, police said. An officer said investigation was on to determine whether the attack was due to a personal dispute.

Prakash was admitted to a hospital and police are questioning him.