Ajilted lover allegedly killed a young woman and her mother by setting them ablaze and also ended his life by torching himself at her house here on Friday, police said. The man, who was later identified as Bhoopalan alias Satish, 31, was a contract technician and was said to be in love with the 26-year-old woman for seven years.

After gaining entry into her house at Anantanayagi Nagar in Korukkupet early today, Bhoopalan allegedly set the woman and her 45-year-old mother on fire, and also torched himself. Hearing their cries, the neighbours informed police who arrived to find three charred bodies.

"On learning that the woman was engaged to be married, Bhoopalan, who was also from Anantanayagi Nagar, went to her house with a can of kerosene and resorted to the crime," an official said. The police team also found a kerosene can.

"The place reeked of kerosene when police entered the house. All the three people were identified and as per procedure the bodies were sent to the Stanley Government Hospital, here, for autopsy," he told PTI. The woman's father had died two years ago and following his death, she was offered a job at the Chennai Corporation on compassionate grounds.

She was engaged to be married to an employee of the Chennai Corporation.