A 37-year-old man was set ablaze by his relative in a dispute here on Monday night (May 18, 2026).
The deceased, M. Gopikrishnan, a resident of Kodambu in Thengalpalayam near Rasipuram, was a centring worker. He along with his relative Manikandan (28) used to consume liquor. On Monday night, the duo came to Rasipuram and consumed liquor.
Later, in an inebriated state, they went to Vennandur where Manikandan allegedly bought petrol in a water bottle and poured it over Gopikrishnan and set him ablaze.
Local residents came to the spot and extinguished the fire and admitted him to Salem Government Hospital. He sustained 80% burns and his condition is said to be critical.
The Vennandur police registered a case and arrested Manikandan and remanded him in prison on Tuesday (May 19, 2026). Police sources said that Gopikrishnan allegedly misbehaved with Manikandan’s girlfriend, following this, he set him ablaze.