Alappuzha: Aluva traffic station civil police officer N A Ajaz, who hacked and set on fire woman CPO Soumya Pushpakaran, died on Wednesday.

His condition turned worse, and he died around 5.40pm, police said.

Earlier in the day, doctors had said that his condition was critical.

His heart beats had come down, said doctors at the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. Ajaz had suffered over 50% burns while setting Soumya on fire on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ajaz was suspended by the Ernakulam rural district police chief K Karthik.

Soumya was hacked and burnt to death in broad day light on June 15 near Vallikunnam. The assailant hit Soumya's scooter with his car. When she tried to run away, he hacked her with a knife and poured petrol over her before setting her ablaze.

Soumya suffered severe injuries on her neck. The injured accused was taken into custody by the police soon after the attack and was admitted to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.

Ajaz confessed on Monday that he intended to commit suicide after killing the Soumya.

Citing spurned love as the reason for murder, Ajaz said Soumya had rejected his proposal several times. He had doused both Soumya and himself with petrol before setting her ablaze. In a statement given to the police, Ajaz has also denied the involvement of any third person in the act.

Husband returns

The funeral of Soumya will be held on Thursday. Her mortal remains will be kept at Vallikunnam police station for paying last respects at 9am and will be taken to her house at Naluvila junction in a procession at 9:30am.

The body will be cremated on the premises of her house. Soumya's husband Sajeev will reach home from Libya by Wednesday night.

The couple has three children.