Kottayam: A man poured petrol and set his 60-year-old mother-in-law ablaze over an alleged family dispute in Pala here on Tuesday night. He also succumbed to burn injuries after the flames spread to him.  The deceased are Nirmala (60), a native of Anthiyalam and Manoj (42), a Karimkunnam resident.

According to the police, Manoj had ongoing marital issues, as his wife was living separately. Nirmala reportedly did not allow him to meet or stay with his wife, which allegedly led to the confrontation. Enraged, Manoj went to Nirmala's house and doused her with petrol he had brought and set her on fire. Manoj and his wife have a seven-year-old son.

The Pala police have registered a case, and an investigation is underway. The bodies have been shifted to Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital.