A 62-year-old ‘spirtual healer-cum-astrologer’ died of burns on Monday after an unknown woman visitor threw inflammable material on him while he was doing his regular work.
The deceased, Syed Bazurudhin, 62, was operating from his place on the Triplicane High Road just opposite the Big Mosque.
Popular among believers, he used to perform special prayers by reciting verses from the Koran and tying talismans on people who visited him.
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On Monday evening, he was busy attending to his visitors. About 10 women clad in burkha were sitting in front of him.
Suddenly, a woman from the group pulled out a can of inflammable material and poured it on him.
Within seconds, she lit the fire and left the place. Panick-stricken, the other women ran out .
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An employee of Syed tried to catch the assailant but she fled the area.
Friend too injured
Syed’s friend Palanivel, who came to the spot, tried to rescue him but he was also injured.
Neighbours rushed Syed and his friend to the Government Kilpauk Hospital, where Syed succumbed to burns at 10.30 p.m. on Monday.
The Triplicane police, who are investigating the case, are analysing the CCTV footage from the locality.
Experts from the Forensic Science Department too visted the spot and collected samples to identify the inflammable material used by the suspected killer.
Further investigation is on.