Youth set ablaze in Howrah for wanting his money back

The victim is battling for life in a Howrah hospital. Police said that victim, Sukhu Sahu, had lent Rs 1500 to the accused, Surinder Sahu, a few months ago but the accused was not repaying the money for a long time. Sukhu had requested the accused to repay the amount but he did not listen to him. 

On Wednesday, a quarrel broke out between the two when Sukhu went to the accuser’s place at Ghushuri area. The accused had allegedly set him on fire. The victim was seen in a CCTV footage running along the road with his body burning.

After hearing the victim scream, the local people rushed to his rescue and after putting lots of effort they managed to extinguish the fire. As his condition was critical he was rushed to a nearby hospital in Howrah where he is fighting for his life. According to the doctors, the patient’s condition is very critical as he suffered 70 per cent burn injuries on his body.

The incident has aroused suspicion as how a person can set another person on fire only because the latter had wanted his money back. Police have started a detailed investigation into the incident and they were interrogating the local people in this connection.

A senior police officer of Howrah Commissionerate said that they have filed an attempt to murder case. They were investigating whether the accused had set Sukhu on fire only because he demanded his money back that he had lent to the accused a few months ago. After starting an investigation, police came to know that the victim had a quarrel with his wife for sometimes and was not staying with her. Police are investigating into all possible angles. 

They are not ruling out the possibility of the involvement of some other accused in the incident. Police are investigating why the accused was not paying the amount, despite of the repeated requests, and are yet to ascertain whether there was some other motive behind the attempted murder.

The police were interrogating the local residents and the victim’s relatives to know about the incident. They are yet to arrest anybody in this connection.