Published May 26, 2026 | 11:24 AM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2026 | 11:24 AM
The bike that was set on fire in Kerala and the house on fire in Tamil Nadu after bomb was thrown.
Synopsis: A police officer’s motorcycle was allegedly set on fire in Kerala, with investigators suspecting the act was linked to a cancelled marriage proposal. The incident comes on the heels of an incident in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where a group allegedly attempted to set fire to a young woman’s house following a failed relationship.
A police officer’s motorcycle was allegedly set on fire outside his house in Anchal in the Kollam district of Kerala late at night on Monday, 25 May, with investigators suspecting the act was linked to a cancelled marriage proposal.
The incident comes on the heels of an incident in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where a group allegedly attempted to set fire to a young woman’s house in Coimbatore on Sunday night by hurling kerosene-filled liquor bottles following a failed relationship.
Police have registered a case against four persons, including a Chennai-based history-sheeter, and launched a search operation.
Also Read: Post-poll celebrations turn violent in Thiruvananthapuram
The accused in the motorcycle arson incident in Kollam were identified as Arathy Raj (26), a native of Edappon, and her friend Gayathri Mohanan (26) from Idukki, who were later arrested in connection with the incident.
The motorcycle belonged to Vivek, a civil police officer in Aranmula Police Station.
Police traced the accused using autorickshaw details, UPI payment records and mobile phone data after unclear CCTV footage initially delayed the probe.
Investigators also recovered a threatening letter from the scene, which they suspect was meant to mislead the investigation.
Also Read: Twist in former Kerala MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly rape case as survivor turns hostile
According to police, on Sunday evening, a Chennai-based man identified as Karthik alias Mariyappan and three of his associates arrived at a woman’s residence in Kalikkanaickenpalayam in Coimbatore on two motorcycles.
The gang allegedly abused and threatened the woman’s father, Sundaramurthy, who was standing outside the house, before hurling beer and liquor bottles filled with kerosene at the residence.
In his complaint, Sundaramurthy, a resident of the CBC Garden area in Kalikkanaickenpalayam near Thondamuthur and who works as a fitter at Thaliyur Town Panchayat, said his daughter, while studying at a college in Coimbatore, reportedly became acquainted with Karthik. The two later entered into a romantic relationship.
Police said the woman later came to know that Karthik had more than 31 criminal cases, including murder and robbery, pending against him at various police stations across Tamil Nadu. Shocked by this, she is said to have ended the relationship. However, Karthik allegedly continued to harass her, insisting that she continue the relationship.
No injuries were reported in the incident. The accused fled the spot immediately after the attack.
Based on a complaint by Sundaramurthy, the Thondamuthur police registered a case against Karthik and three others. Police are examining CCTV footage from the locality and have formed special teams to trace the accused.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose and Sreelakshmi Soman.)
