Woman dies after man sets her on fire in Aruppukottai

A 45-year-old woman, P. Shanthi, who was set on fire in Aruppukottai on May 17, allegedly by a person named Muthu, after she refused to live with him, succumbed to burn injuries at Virudhunagar Government Medical College on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).

Her sister-in-law, Sridevi, 45, who also sustained injuries, is battling for her life with 45% burns.

The police said that the deceased, who was widowed and a mother of two children, lived in Palayampatti. After her husband Pandiyarajan died, his friend, P. Mani of Kalkurichi, had tried to coerce her into living with him. However, because she refused, Mani tried to set her on fire, the police said.

When the woman, along with her children and sister-in-law, were sleeping outside their house, Muthu poured petrol on the two women and set them on fire in the early hours.

The police have arrested Muthu.