CHENNAI: A 24-year-old woman, working as a data entry operator at Ponneri govt hospital, suffered 48% burns after a man allegedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze 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 probing the circumstances behind the attack, which was suspected to have been triggered by personal enmity.The suspect, identified as Prakash, was later traced to Tiruvallur. Police said he attacked personnel who attempted to nab him, following which he was shot in the leg and arrested.Police said Prakash had poured petrol on Rajeshwari and set her on fire while she was leaving the hospital. Further investigation was under way.
