E-Paper
Ludhiana fruit vendor set ablaze over ₹10 damaged note
The fruit vendor, identified as Shekhar Kumar, 36, of Guru Hargobind Nagar of Haibowal, sustained 20-30% burns on his head, back and shoulders; sensing his condition, he was referred to PGIMER Chandigarh
Following a dispute over ₹10 damaged currency note, a 25-year-old man allegedly set a vegetable and fruit vendor on fire after pouring petrol on him Civil City of Haibowal, police said on Friday.
The accused, Ravi Sharma of Chandar Nagar of Haibowal, fled from the spot immediately after the incident on Wednesday night, but was later arrested by the police on Friday.
The vendor, identified as Shekhar Kumar, 36, of Guru Hargobind Nagar of Haibowal, sustained 20-30% burns on his head, back and shoulders. Sensing his condition, he was referred to PGIMER Chandigarh.
The accused belongs to Rajasthan. He had shifted to Ludhiana one-and-a-half months ago and was living in a rented accommodation.
The FIR was lodged following the statement of Rajesh Kumar, brother of the victim. The whole incident was captured in the CCTVs installed in the area.
Rajesh said that his brother runs a vegetable and fruit shop near Chitti Kothi of Civil City. At around 9.30pm on Wednesday, Ravi came on his scooter and bought a vegetable for ₹2o.
Rajesh added that the accused gave ₹50 note. Shekhar returned ₹30 to the accused, out of which ₹10 note was a little torn. The accused started abusing Shekhar for it. He tore the ₹10 currency note and threw it on Rajesh’s face. They indulged in a scuffle over it.
Rajesh said that when he intervened, the accused left the place but returned after sometime with his relatives.
They tried to resolve the matter and asked Shekhar and Ravi to shake hands and hug each other. Meanwhile, the accused poured petrol from a bottle he was already carrying and set him on fire.
“After the incident, the accused escaped from the spot. I rushed my brother to hospital with the help of locals and informed the police,” Rajesh said.
Inspector Bittan Kumar, SHO at police station Haibowal, said that soon after receiving the complaint the police lodged an FIR under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 326A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC against the accused.
