T’puram: A 37-year-old woman died after allegedly setting herself on fire by pouring petrol over herself at her residence in Kudavoor near Navaikulam on Monday evening.The deceased has been identified as Vidya S S.According to police, the incident occurred around 5.45pm on Monday. Vidya had reportedly been undergoing treatment for fever at a hospital. However, she insisted on being discharged and returning home. Soon after reaching the house, she allegedly poured petrol over herself and set herself ablaze.Police said the petrol had been purchased earlier and stored for refueling her scooter. On noticing the incident, nearby relatives and locals rushed her to Govt Medical College Hospital, Parippally. Despite emergency treatment, she succumbed to her injuries around 8.15pm. Doctors said she had suffered burns of nearly 80% of her body.Preliminary investigation suggests that Vidya had been living separately from her husband Manoj, and was running a women’s hotel at Seemapuram. Police suspect that mounting financial liabilities and debt may have driven her to take the extreme step, though the exact reason will be established only after a detailed probe.After autopsy, the body was handed over to the family and was cremated at her residence on Tuesday afternoon.Vidya is survived by two children, Kashinath and Shivani.Kallambalam police registered a case of unnatural death under the provisions of the BNSS, and further investigation is under way.
