PATNA: One Bhola Mahto (62) is battling for life after his neighbour’s son allegedly poured petrol and set him afire in his sleep for as he had scolded the accused for misbehaving with his father.
The incident took place at village
Nawada under Katra police station area in
Muzaffarpur during the wee hours of Wednesday. The accused,
Kunal Singh alias Bela (25), was arrested in the morning.
Katra police station SHO Sikandar Kumar said Bhola had received 100% burn injury, as per doctors, and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Muzaffarpur in a critical condition.
“Bhola was sleeping on a cot outside his residence as usual when Kunal reached there with a plastic container filled with petrol. He poured the petrol on Bhola and set him on fire,” he said.
The SHO said the container was seized from the spot. “Bhola in his statement accused Kunal of setting him ablaze,” he said.
He said Bhola had slapped Kunal
thrice and scolded him
Tuesday night after the latter fought with his father
Lalbabu Singh (60). “Kunal had threatened Bhola to kill him in the night. However, none took his threat seriously as earlier also he had threatened to shoot others in a fit of rage. Lalbabu and Bhola are neighbours and good friends,” the SHO said.
He said Kunal owned a cosmetic shop at Nawada Chowk.