Kannur:  A 45-year-old woman was set on fire here in Kannur by an unidentified man inside Alappuzha-bound Kannur Express train at Kannur railway station early on Monday. The woman succumbed by 9 pm at Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode.

According to the railway police, the woman, recognized as Fathima of Keezsherry (near Kondotty in Malappuram district), had suffered 45 per cent burns and was admitted at the hospital.

The train began operation from Kannur and was on the track around 4.50 a.m. when the incident occurred.

To the surprise, there weren't any other commuters inside the compartment.

The seat where Fathima was seated apparently melted due to the fire. Even the train departed from the station after an hour before the actual schedule. The train has been detached after the compartment was detached and was fitted to a new one.

Railway police circle inspector A.K. Babu told a newspaper, that the police had received some hints on the accused and that he would be held soon.  

From the crime spot the police had found a bottle which has been sent for the (chemical) examination so that it can be traced out what inflammatory substance was used for the fire.

A few people present at the platform told police that they had seen the man and woman having a tiff before boarding the train.

The woman was not in a position to speak when the police and magistrate reached the hospital to record her declaration. The victim was given high security with a separate room while she was undergoing treatment.

Earlier too, the police have registered a case of attempted murder that will be revised with murder charges. It was stated that the railway police superintendent  is investigating the case.