Employer pours spirit on staff, sets her afire

He accused her of being irregular and blamed her for losses

Yamuna,who was set on fire by her colleague in Madipakkam on Sunday night.

A 33-year-old woman sustained 46% burn injuries after her employer poured lab spirit on her and set her on fire. She has been admitted to the Kilpauk Government Hospital.

According to Madipakkam police inspector Jaishankar, Yamuna, 33, is the wife of Anand, a driver residing at Sivasubramaniam Nagar in Puzhuthivakkam. They have a four-year-old daughter.

Visibly shaken

Ms. Yamuna was working as a lab assistant in a private hospital a few years ago and one Raja, a resident of Anna Nagar, was her colleague. Police said that Raja left the hospital and started a small medical laboratory in Madipakkam. A few months ago, she joined Raja’s lab as a part-time staff, said the police. “We had to make ends meet, hence she started going for the job,” said a visibly shaken Mr. Anand, who was at the burns unit in the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on Monday afternoon.

Police claimed that she was not regular to work and this angered Raja. “The laboratory had been making losses of late and he allegedly told Yamuna that she was the reason behind it. An argument broke out between them on Sunday evening over this and there was a heated exchange between the two,” added the police.

In a fit of rage, Raja allegedly poured spirit over her and set her on fire. Other employees and passersby rushed her to the Kilpauk Government Hospital for treatment. Based on a complaint from Ms. Yamuna’s family, Raja was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Monday.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Anand said that she was out of danger. “She sustained injuries on the chest. She is able to eat and talk. It is a big relief for me,” he said. Investigation is on.