Man sets wife on fire, held

Coimbatore: A 55-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for attempting to burn his wife alive over a drunken brawl at Ammankulam. The woman, who sustained 50% burns, is battling for her life in the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).
A police officer identified the accused as Thangaraj, of Ammankulam housing unit of slum clearance board. “A construction worker, he was living with his wife Kamala, 50, and mother-in-law Kaliyammal, 75. The couple have a son and daughter, who were married and settled away from them.”
The officer said Thangaraj was in the habit of consuming liquor with his wife, who used to quarrel with him often over his extramarital affair with one of his relatives.
“Around 9.30pm on Wednesday, Kamala fought with her husband after consuming liquor. In a fit of rage, he doused her with kerosene and set her ablaze. Hearing her cry for help, neighbours rushed to the house and put out the fire. She suffered 50% burn injuries,” the officer said.Kamala’s mother, who rushed to her help, also sustained minor burn injuries.