Man sets youth on fire for not giving chit fund money

BENGALURU: A youth was set on fire after dousing him in petrol by an autorickshaw driver over a chit fund dispute in Nelamangala. The victim Manukumar (28) suffered severe burn injuries.

The accused Nagesh, who is an autorickshaw driver in Bengaluru, had been demanding money from Manukumar over a chit fund dispute. Both are from Maddur.

Manukumar had been working at a flower decoration and tent house in Nelamangala. Manu had been running a chit fund and had not paid money to Nagesh after the chit ended. Manu had been evading Nagesh for the past week whenever the latter demanded the money, and had even threatened to kill the latter.

On the night of the incident, Nagesh called Manukumar, asking where he was and what he was doing, and abused him using foul language. In reply, Manu said he was decorating flowers in Nelamangala. Then Nagesh called him to come to Sondikoppa Circle at 2 am, where he poured petrol on Manu and set him on fire before fleeing the scene.

Manukumar suffered burns on his neck and hands and is undergoing treatment at Victoria Hospital. A case has been registered at the Nelamangala Town police station.