Woman threatens suicide, husband sets her on fire

According to police, the couple from Ramavaram, Raja and Dharani, used to work at a vessel making unit. Raja used to drink often, which led to constant squabbles between the two. On Tuesday night, when Raja came home in an inebriated condition as usual, it led to a wordy quarrel between the couple.

In the middle of the fight, Dharani doused herself in kerosene and threatened to set herself afire. Seeing this, Raja lit a matchstick and set her on fire, police said. While the woman was rushed to the hospital with burn injuries, police have launched a hunt for the husband who fled the spot.

In another case of murder, a 28-year-old man murdered his wife for refusing to return home with him and attempted suicide, in Saidapet on Wednesday.

Police said Sowmya (24) had quarrelled with her husband, Karthik, an electrician, on Tuesday and went to her parents’ house on Duraisamy second street in Saidapet. In an effort to reconcile with the woman, Karthik reached her house on Wednesday morning to convince her to return home with him.

Police said Sowmya was with her mother and ailing father when Karthik reached there.

Sowmya categorically told him that she was not willing to return to their house. Following a heated exchange of words, Karthik took a kitchen knife and stabbed her several times before attempting to slit his throat to commit suicide.

Hearing his cries, neighbours rushed to the house and took them both to the Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH).

While the doctors declared Sowmya dead on arrival, Karthik is undergoing treatment. The couple has two children, the Saidapet police said.