A man accused of attempting to murder his wife and mother-in-law by allegedly setting them ablaze died while undergoing treatment for severe burns at the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital on Tuesday (August 18).

The deceased was identified as C.V. Sanal Kumar, 46, of Swamimuku in Peralam-Karivallur panchayat. He had sustained around 80% burns in the incident that occurred on Sunday night (August 16). Sanal Kumar allegedly attempted to kill his wife, P. Prajisha, 37, as he was reportedly angered by her decision to file for divorce.

Prajisha’s mother P. Padmini, 56, who reportedly intervened in an attempt to save her daughter, also sustained burns. Prajisha and Padmini, who suffered around 50% burns, are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kannur.