Chennai: The cab driver, who set his wife on fire inside a car at Nandanam, Chennai, last night, was arrested this morning.

According to the police, N. Prema (28) who had doused herself with kerosene, gave a statement in the hospital just before her death, accusing her husband, Nagaraj (30), of setting her ablaze in the car. The couple’s children, who also were in the car, had a miraculous escape. After investigations, the police arrested the husband.

Nagaraj was a cab driver with Ola. He and Prema were married for five years and had two children – Thisanth Raj (4) and Yashwanth Raj (2). There were frequent quarrels between Nagaraj and Prema due to a loan of Rs.3 lakhs that the husband had borrowed. When things worsened, Nagaraj left Prema and the children at her mother’s place.

Prema had often, in the past, threatened Nagaraj to take her back home, by pouring petrol or kerosene over her and trying to set herself ablaze. A huge fight broke out between the couple late yesterday evening. Nagaraj, Prema, and the two children were travelling in the car owned by the latter’s sister. Prema was carrying a can of kerosene with her. An argument began in the car between the husband and wife, and Prema immediately doused herself with kerosene, despite the fact that the children were sitting right next to her.

In a fit of rage, Nagaraj set fire to her and immediately pulled both his children out to safety.

A case has been registered on Nagaraj under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC.