CHENNAI: A 24-year-old woman, working as a data entry operator at Ponneri Govt Hospital, suffered 48% burns as an unidentified man set her ablaze after dousing her with petrol just outside the emergency ward of the hospital on Monday evening.The incident occurred around 7.15pm when Rajeshwari, a contract worker, was leaving the hospital after duty. Police said she was carrying her belongings and walking towards the exit when the man approached her near the ramp outside the casualty ward. He took out a plastic bottle containing petrol, poured it on Rajeshwari and set her on fire. She screamed in pain as the flames spread all over her body. Hospital staff and people at the entrance rushed to her help. In the melee, the suspect managed to flee the spot.Rajeshwari was taken to the emergency ward, where doctors found burns on her face, chest and lower abdomen. She was later shifted to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for further treatment.Ponneri police reached the hospital and began examining CCTV footage from cameras installed near the casualty ward and entrance ramp to ascertain the identity of the culprit. They questioned hospital staff and other persons who were present at the time of the incident.Investigators were examining whether Rajeshwari knew the attacker. Police were also working to identify the suspect from CCTV footage. A case was registered and a search was launched for the unidentified man. Further investigation was under way.
