CHENNAI: The man accused of setting a woman ablaze at Ponneri Government Hospital on Monday evening was shot in the leg and arrested after he allegedly attacked an SI with a sickle when resisting arrest on Tuesday.
The accused, Prakash (35) of Madhavaram, working as a cab driver, was found hiding near a cremation ground in Ponneri, police said. When the police team moved in to apprehend him, Prakash allegedly attacked SI Thamilarasan with a sickle. In retaliation, Ponneri inspector Sivakumar shot Prakash below the knee and arrested him, the police added.
Prakash was taken to Ponneri Government Hospital and later shifted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital. Thamilarasan is undergoing treatment at Ponneri GH.
According to the police, Rajeshwari (36), a contract data-entry operator in the hospital’s emergency department, was leaving after completing her shift when Prakash allegedly poured petrol on her near the entrance of the department.
As she ran into the hospital, Prakash allegedly followed her, lit a match and threw it at her before fleeing. Rajeshwari, who suffered over nearly 56% burns, was given first aid at Ponneri GH and shifted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary inquiry indicated that Prakash and Rajeshwari had been in a relationship and that she had recently stopped communicating with him. “Rajeshwari is under treatment and her condition is being monitored,” an officer said.