Kerala policeman who set woman colleague on fire dies

Ajaz, a policeman working at the Aluva Traffic police, who reportedly set ablaze his female colleague lost his life at the Medical College Hospital where he was also treated for burns. Ajaz wanted to marry his colleague, a mother of three, and they had financial dealings in the past.

Alappuzha (Kerala): A Kerala policeman who allegedly set ablaze his female colleague, died at the Medical College Hospital where he was also treated for burns on Wednesday evening.

Ajaz, a policeman working at the Aluva Traffic police, was close to 32-year-old Soumya Pushapakaren, who worked as a policewoman at the Vallikunnu police station.

He first knocked her down on the road with his car, then stabbed her and finally set her ablaze last Saturday at around 3 pm in Mavelikkara municipality.

While she died instantly, Ajaz also suffered burns and was rushed to the hospital.

His condition turned worse, and he died around 5:40 pm on Wednesday, police said.

While his arrest was recorded and in his statement taken by a magistrate, he told his friends that things went out of control.

Ajaz wanted to marry his colleague, a mother of three, and they had financial dealings in the past.

Ajaz came in a car and hit Pushapakeren, who was on her two-wheeler, going from her home to her workplace at the Vallikunnu police station.

As she got up and tried to flee, Ajaz slashed her with a sword and after she fell down again, doused her with petrol and set her ablaze.

A terrified Pushapakeren ran into a nearby home where she collapsed and succumbed to her injuries, police said.