Melbourne, Jan 3: An Indian woman who allegedly set her sleeping husband's genitals alight in their Australian house has been formally charged with his murder.

Last month, Rajini Narayan was arrested after fire destroyed her family''s Unley home.

Her husband, Satish Narayan, suffered severe burns and died last Saturday.

It has been alleged that Narayan's wife doused his genitals with methylated spirit and then set him on fire about 5.30am on December 7, reports News.com.au.

It is believed a major blaze was sparked at the couple's Cleland Ave townhouse in Unley when Narayan jumped out of bed and knocked over the bottle of methylated spirit.

Narayan suffered burns to 85 per cent of his body. His wife and their three kids, however, escaped unharmed from the burning house.

Rajini, 44, is listed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday morning on upgraded charges including murder and endangering life. (ANI)