Chennai: Man sets ablaze wife, stepchildren

CHENNAI: Police are on the lookout for a 40-year-old man who poured thinner over his wife and two stepchildren when they were sleeping and set them ablaze in their house in Maduravoyal on Sunday. His wife and stepson suffered 95% burns and died at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMCH) after giving a dying declarations, while his stepdaughter survived with burns and is undergoing treatment.
Police said the accused Makbul Ali, was the second husband of Koresha Begum, 40. She had son Akram Ali, 21, and Maji Ali, 13, during her first marriage. Ali met Begum in Kolkata and the family moved to Chennai four years ago, police said.
“Koresha Begum and Akram Ali worked in a footwear making unit in Velappanchavadi. Makbul Ali was addicted to alcohol, did not have a job and pestered his wife for money to drink. This led to fights often and Begum kept him out of the house,” police said.
In a similar fight, Koresha Begum did not allow him inside on Saturday. Enraged, Makbul returned around 2am, poured thinner on his wife and children through a window and set them on fire. Hearing their cries, neighbours put out the fire and rushed them to KMCH. Makbul Ali is absconding. A case was registered.