Driver held for setting kiosk on fire in IMT-Manesar as owner battles for life

Deputy commissioner of police (Manesar) Rajesh Kumar said the accused man, identified only by his first name Kanhaiya, was arrested late on Sunday night.

The police, on Monday, arrested a man for allegedly setting fire to a cigarette kiosk in IMT-Manesar on May 4, an incident that left the 58-year-old kiosk owner battling for his life with 80% burn injuries.

Driver held for setting kiosk on fire in IMT-Manesar as owner battles for life (HT File)

Deputy commissioner of police (Manesar) Rajesh Kumar said the accused man, identified only by his first name Kanhaiya, was arrested late on Sunday night. He works as a tempo driver and was arrested from a tempo stand in Sector 7 near Baskushla Chowk.

“During questioning, he confessed that he had burnt the victim’s kiosk to exact revenge after a dispute over non-payment of cigarettes,” DCP Kumar said, adding that the accused was produced in district court and sent to judicial custody.

On Monday, the police also added Section 307 (attempt to murder) to the FIR registered against the accused after getting feedback from doctors treating the victim, Abdul.

Kanhaiya has been booked under sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427 (mischief causing damage) of Indian Penal Code on Saturday at IMT Manesar police station on Saturday, said police.

On Friday around 9.30pm, a drunk Kanhaiya had gone to Abdul’s shop at Baskushla Chowk and bought a beedi and two cigarettes, but refused to pay for them. He had then abused the kiosk owner before crossing the road and picking another fight, this time with a fruit vendor for “free bananas”, police said.

The following day, Kanhaiya returned to the area at 5.30pm to purchase another cigarette. When the victim asked him to pay up, the accused tried to steal money from his cash box. According to the police complaint filed, the accused then threw petrol from a bottle he was carrying and set the kiosk ablaze.

The victim was rushed to Rockland Hospital in Manesar by his neighbours, from where he was referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi with burn injuries on his face, arms and leg. The police, on Monday, said Abdul is receiving treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital.