Drunk man sets shop, employer’s car on fire

A 55-year-old drunk man set his employer’s shop and car on fire in Tughlaqabad, Okhla on Thursday, reports Vijaita Singh.

A 55-year-old man reportedly set his employer’s shop and car on fire in south Delhi in the early hours on Thursday. The police said the accused, instead of running away, stood outside the shop after setting it on fire. They said he was drunk and could not give any reason for his action.

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The incident occurred at around 3 am on Thursday in Tughlaqabad, Okhla. The shop is owned by Ramanand Verma, a resident of RZ block in Tughlaqabad. The shop is located in D Block. Verma deals in number plates of cars.

He had hired the accused, identified as Bhagat, three months ago. “Ramanand said that he has never scolded him (Bhagat) and that he did not show any signs of being disturbed,” said a senior police officer.

The locals called up the police who later informed Verma about the fire. On the night of the incident, the accused was guarding the shop.

It took the fire officials an hour to control the fire.

The police said they have arrested Bhagat and a case of causing fire by mischief has been registered at the Okhla police station. “He gave conflicting statements during interrogation,” said the officer.

The police said a medical examination of the accused revealed that he was drunk at the time of the incident.