In a shocking incident of an alleged stalker turning killer, a man in Chennai set a 22-year-old woman he was obsessing over on fire.

Aakash, who used to study with Indhuja, an engineering graduate, has been stalking her for over a month, claiming he was in love with her, alleged relatives. When Indhuja an engineering graduate did not respond, Aakash went to her house on Monday night and set her and her mother on fire, according to statements by her relatives.

The incident happened at Adambakkam AGS Colony, in Saraswathi Nagar, between 8.45pm and 9pm on Monday night. The accused, Aakash, absconded right after, but was caught on Tuesday morning.

According to reports, Aakash, who lives in the neighbourhood, landed up outside Indhuja's residence on Monday night. Indhuja and her family were initially reluctant to open the door, but Aakash persisted, claiming he only wanted to speak to Indhuja for a few minutes.

He was then made to stand at the doorway, according to relatives of the family, and talk to Induja. But they soon broke out into an argument. Following this, he fetched the oil that he had hidden near the shoe rack outside the house and doused Induja with the oil. He allegedly then used a lighter to set her on fire. The rest of the oil spilled on to the ground and went up in flames as well. 

Her mother Renuka and sister Nivedha who tried to save the victim, also suffered burn injuries and neighbours who rushed into the house on hearing their wails found them battling the fire that was burning into their clothes. 

 “We found the mother and younger daughter and we brought them down. We switched off the power and again went up because the mother told us that her other daughter was inside. The whole house was covered in smoke, we opened windows and put water to stop the fire. When we went inside to one of the bedrooms, we found the elder daughter burnt and unconscious on the ground,” says Raghu, a neighbour.

Indhuja succumbed to her injuries on Monday night and her body was shifted to the Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) hospital in the city. Her mother Renuka sustained 49% burns, and sister Nivedha has 23% burns. Both of them are critical, and getting treatment at KMC.

An engineering graduate, Indhuja had been scared of Aakash's behaviour says relatives. They allege that he has been stalking her for a while and that the accused and victim were classmates in school. 

Indhuja’s uncle told media persons, “He’s been stalking her for a month. My brother went abroad for some work. Perhaps knowing this, this man came home last night. They didn’t open the door. But he said he just wants to talk to her. He then poured the petrol on the girl and the mother and burned them and ran away.”