Mumbai: In a shocking incident, captured by CCTV cameras, a 21-year-old man was allegedly set ablaze by his friends on his birthday in Kurla West, Mumbai, soon after midnight on Tuesday.
The police are now trying to ascertain whether it was a prank gone wrong or a deliberate attempt to cause harm. Five persons have been taken into custody in this connection.
Abdul Rehman Khan, the victim, suffered burn injuries to his face, hands and chest and is now being treated at a private hospital.
The incident was reported from Kohinoor City, where Khan lives with his family. According to the police, his friends called him downstairs, saying they wanted to celebrate his birthday and had brought a cake along.
Khan’s brother told the police in his complaint that the members of the group were Ayaz Malik, Ashraf Malik, Kasim Chaudhary, Huzaifa Khan and Sharif Shaikh.
They allegedly made Khan cut the cake, but as soon as he began, they started throwing eggs and stones at him. The situation quickly turned out of control when one of the accused, identified as Ayaz Malik, walked to his scooter, took out a bottle containing a liquid and poured it on Abdul.
Despite Abdul begging them to stop, Ayaz set him on fire using a lighter.
The liquid was clearly inflammable. The police are now checking whether it was petrol.
CCTV footage shows Khan running in panic and trying to remove his burning clothes. He rushed towards the watchman’s cabin and asked for water. The watchman and others helped douse the flames.
Khan was immediately taken to City Hospital, where doctors confirmed he had suffered multiple burn injuries.
Based on his complaint, the Vinoba Bhave Police registered a case under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Another report also mentioned Sections 3(5) and 110 in the FIR.
The accused have been remanded to police custody till November 29. The statements of neighbours are being recorded.
