Dhanalakshmi (37) of Asarimar Street in Puraiur succumbed to burns after her husband allegedly set her afire after pouring petrol on her in the kitchen of their house. The incident occurred on Monday night and the victim, who suffered over ninety percent burns on her body, died in a hospital on Tuesday morning, police sources said.
According to sources, Dhanalakshmi sought money from her husband, J. Ramajeyam (49), to pay to a temple priest Jeyakumar for performing a puja to cure her of stammering. Quarrel erupted between them when she demanded Rs. 7,500 for paying to the priest. Subsequently, Ramajeyam poured petrol on her and set her ablaze. The victim was admitted to Tuticorin Government Medical College Hospital, where she succumbed to burns.
Sources said the woman had this problem of ‘stammering’ for the last six months, which she believed to be a curse. Though both were natives of the place, they resided in Karnataka, where he ran a sweet stall. About a week ago, the couple returned to their native place and the incident happened. Kurumbur police filed a case and arrested the accused based on a complaint preferred by the victim.
