Police apprehended Prakash in Tiruvallur after he attacked officers attempting his arrest (Representative image)
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. 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.
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.
Police said Prakash had poured petrol on Rajeshwari and set her on fire while she was leaving the hospital. 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. Further investigation was under way.