An 18-year-old girl, who set herself on fire in Periya Kasi Kuppam in Ennore two days ago after she was accused of stealing cash from a neighbour’s house, died at the Government Stanley Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
The police said, Revathi, who had lost her parents many years ago, was living with her grandmother, Pounnammal.
On Sunday morning, Revathi returned home after visiting her friend Dakshini, living on the adjacent street. In the evening, Dakshini’s husband Murugan (27) and Revathi’s brother, Manikandan (29), came to Pounnammal’s house and accused Revathi of stealing Rs. 1,500 from Dakshini’s house.
When Revathi denied their charge, the duo created a scene in front of her house and invited the attention of neighbours, who asked her to return the money. Meanwhile, her brother and his friend, Kumar beat up Revathi, the police said.
Upset, Revathi went in to the house, locked the door and set herself ablaze. On hearing her cries, neighbours rushed her to Stanley hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.
“Manikandan and Murugan were arrested and have been charged with murder. Kumar too will be arrested,” said Raja Robert, Ennore police inspector (law & order).
