When 32-year-old Dhanam flung a slipper at her creditor, little did she know that she would land up with burn injuries at the Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital. The creditor was later arrested.
Chandrasekhar, a mechanic, tried to set Dhanam ablaze on Sunday afternoon, shamed as he was upset over ‘the loss of self-respect at the hands of a woman’.
A drunk Chandrasekar barged into the photocopying shop owned by Dhanam on the Purasaiwakkam High Road around 2 pm with a can filled with petrol. He quickly splashed petrol on her and set her ablaze. As she cried for help, workers from nearby shops doused the flames. She was rushed to the KMC hospital, where she was treated as an outpatient for 5 per cent burns.
As the news spread, Manoharan, a constable who was patrolling that area, reached the spot. Scared, Chandrasekar made an abortive bid to immolate himself.
According to a senior police officer, Chandrasekar had lent Rs 35,000 to Dhanam last year out of friendship. His wife kept pestering him to get back the money, but Dhanam continued to give excuses, the police said.
On Sunday, he went to Dhanam’s shop and demanded the money. This resulted in a wordy duel, at the end of which Dhanam flung her slipper at him.
Dhanam, who is single, reportedly spent her nights at the shop itself. The police took a complaint from her at the hospital and arrested Chandrasekar. He was remanded in judicial custody.