The 34-year-old civil police officer died on the spot

A woman civil police officer in Kerala's Alappuzha district has died after she was set on fire this afternoon allegedly by a colleague who poured petrol on her. The policewoman was on her way back home from work.

Soumya Pushpakaran, 34, died on the spot. The accused, who is also a civil police officer, according to police sources, suffered 40 per cent burn injuries was taken into custody. He has been hospitalised and is in the ICU.

The victim was returning home on a scooty when the accused, Ajas, chased her down in a rented car and banged into her vehicle. He attacked her and set her ablaze as she tried to escape, eyewitnesses said.

The victim was a mother to three children. The reason for the attack is yet to be ascertained, police said.

More details are awaited.