Man set on fire in Cuddalore district over family dispute

Four persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in dousing a 64-year-old man with petrol and setting him on fire at Maligampattu near Kadampuliyur in Cuddalore district.

The victim of the attempted murder, Rajendran, a resident of Maligampattu, has been admitted to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital.

According to the police, Rajendran was riding pillion on a motorcycle to Maligampattu on Thursday (January 29, 2026) night when two persons in a van intercepted him. The duo identified as Manikandan, 39, and Kubendiran, 29, of Panruti chased the rider, poured petrol on Rajendran, and set him on fire.

Locals rushed to the spot and took him to the Panruti General Hospital, from where he was referred to Cuddalore. The police perused the CCTV footage in the area and arrested the van driver Parthiban, 28, of Sithiraichavadi.

Initial probe revealed that Rajendran’s daughter-in-law B. Jayapriya, 28, had been in a relationship with Manikandan. Rajendran, who got to know about this, objected strongly and warned Manikandan, following which they planned to kill him, the police said.

The Kadampuliyur police have arrested Manikandan, Kubendiran, Parthiban, and Jayapriya in connection with the incident. A case has been registered.