A 24-year-old woman died of burn injuries after she was allegedly set ablaze by a man with whom she was reportedly in a relationship. The accused, who also sustained burns, is undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital in Erode.
The deceased was identified as Vinothini of Bharathi Nagar, Moolapalayam. Police said she had married Surya, a tailor from Tiruppur district, five years ago and the couple has a four-year-old son. Owing to marital discord, they had been living separately for two years. Vinothini was residing with her son near her parents’ house and was working as a salesperson at an organic store in the city. During this period, she came into contact with Navaneethakrishnan, 26, of Ramanathapuram district, through Instagram. The acquaintance later developed into a relationship, police said.
According to the police, Navaneethakrishnan went to Vinothini’s house in the early hours of Wednesday. An argument reportedly broke out between the two, following which he allegedly poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. He too sustained burn injuries in the incident before fleeing the spot.
Her parents and neighbours rushed to the house and admitted her to the Government Erode Medical College Hospital in Perundurai. An Additional Mahila Court Judge recorded her dying declaration. She succumbed to her injuries later in the day. Police traced Navaneethakrishnan to a private hospital in Karur through his mobile phone location. Later, he was shifted to the Government Hospital in Erode. He is under treatment and will be arrested after being declared fit, police said. A case has been registered and further investigation is under way.
Published – July 30, 2026 05:44 pm IST
