Man who set woman ablaze at Chennai hospital shot during arrest

A 35-year-old cab driver from Madhavaram was shot in the leg and arrested on Tuesday after allegedly setting a woman employee ablaze at Ponneri Government Hospital on Monday evening. Police said the accused, Prakash, was found hiding near a cremation ground in Ponneri. When officers moved to apprehend him, he allegedly attacked SI Thamilarasan with a sickle, prompting Ponneri inspector Sivakumar to open fire. Prakash was taken to Ponneri GH and later shifted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital.

The victim, Rajeshwari, 36, a contract data-entry operator at the hospital's emergency department, was leaving after her shift when Prakash allegedly poured petrol on her near the entrance. As she ran inside, he allegedly followed and threw a lit match at her before fleeing. Rajeshwari suffered approximately 56% burns and was shifted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.

Police said preliminary inquiry indicated the two had been in a relationship and she had recently stopped communicating with him. SI Thamilarasan was also injured in the confrontation and is receiving treatment at Ponneri GH.