(Representative image)

BENGALURU: A business partner allegedly attacked a 50-year-old government schoolteacher in her classroom in Shambaiahnapalya , Magadi taluk, around 55 km from Bengaluru, on Wednesday afternoon. As stunned students watched, the man poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze.

KG Sunanda has been shifted to a private hospital with 50% burns. Doctors said the burns were severe and she is under observation.

Police have launched a hunt for Renukaradhya, the alleged attacker.

Sunanda was teaching Social Science to class 5 students when the incident took place. "Around 2 pm, a man entered the classroom and shouted at the teacher, and they argued for a while. The teacher asked him to leave the room. He opened a bottle and poured liquid on her. He struck a match and set her on fire. We were helpless and screamed," a student said.

While the attacker took to his heels, the frightened students ran out of the class, seeking help from teachers.

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