A 48-year-old man allegedly set fire to his wife, mother-in-law, and two step-children following a domestic quarrel in Sivakasi in the early hours of Tuesday (December 23, 2025). The alleged assailant, M. Akbar Ali, also suffered 100% burns as the fire accidentally engulfed him.
According to the police, Akbar Ali married Syed Ali Fatima, 35, a widow, and had been living with her, his mother-in-law, D. Sikkander Beevi, 66, and his step-children, Parveen Banu, 18, and Syed Farook, 15. Following a quarrel a few weeks ago, he allegedly assaulted his wife and was arrested. He came out on bail on December 9.
At around 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday, Akbar Ali allegedly doused the two women and the children with petrol and set them on fire while they were asleep at their house on Muslim Odai Street. In the process, he also caught fire. All five injured persons were rushed to the Government Hospital in Sivakasi.
Sivakasi Town police are investigating the case.
Published – December 23, 2025 02:13 pm IST
