Woman dies after self-immolation bid

She and her sister set themselves on fire after a property dispute with their brother

A woman succumbed to burns at the Government Kilpauk Hospital on Friday three days after she and her sister attempted to commit suicide by setting themselves ablaze. The sisters attempted self-immolation on Tuesday, in the presence of a woman Sub-Inspector.

The victims, Navaneetham, 52, and her sister Sasikala, 50, were living in their ancestral house on Walltax Road, Elephant Gate. They had a dispute over the property with their brother Sudharshan, a government employee who resides in Otteri. Meanwhile, Sudharshan developed friendship with a woman SI in Secretariat Colony. According to the police, Sudharshan and the woman SI, tried to evict the sisters from their house.

On Tuesday night, Sudharshan and the woman SI went to the house and attempted to evict them. Frustrated, the sisters set themselves on fire, and they were admitted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where Sasikala died on Friday.

Action against woman SI

The Elephant Gate Police arrested Sudharshan and three others in connection with the incident while the Police department initiated a departmental action against the woman SI.

People in need of counselling can contact the Health Department’s round-the-clock helpline – 104. Sneha suicide prevention centre can be contacted at 044-24640050.