Suspect who set hospital worker on fire shot while trying to evade arrest

The police shot a man, who had set a woman on fire at the Ponneri government hospital, after he allegedly attacked a police officer with a sickle while trying to evade arrest. The police shot him in the leg and arrested him.

The suspect, Prakash, set a 36-year-old temporary employee of the Ponneri government hospital on fire on Monday, after a dispute over their relationship.

The victim, Rajeshwari, works as a computer operator on a temporary basis at the government hospital in Tiruvallur district. She suffered burns to her face, chest, hands, and legs, and was shifted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai for further treatment.

The incident occurred on Monday evening when Rajeshwari was leaving the hospital after completing her duty. According to police, the suspect, Prakash, 36, of Madhavaram, allegedly approached her, poured petrol on her from a bottle and set her on fire.