CHENNAI: A 34-year-old woman set ablaze by her partner at her residence in New Washermenpet on Friday ensured that he also died by hugging him tightly. Both died of burns at the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. In her dying declaration, the woman told police that her partner had set her on fire and she had caught hold of him because she was scared.

Police said Malar alias Thanga Malar was a widow, whose husband Prakash was a notorious rowdy and was hacked to death last year by a gang in a hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

After his death, she began a relationship with Raja, 38, a neighbour. Malar later became close to a man named Gajendran. Raja came to know of this and told her to call off the relationship. The two fought over the issue regularly, police said.

On Friday, Raja saw Malar speaking to Gajendran at the VOC Market and confronted her in the evening. A fight ensued and Malar apparently told him to mind his business as he was not her husband.

Suddenly, Raja poured kerosene over her and set her afire and tried to run out. But the woman caught him and hugged him close. Hearing their screams, residents of the area rushed in and moved them to the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital where Malar died later in the night. Raja died on Saturday morning.