Mathura: Dalit man set on fire by two men over a packet of gutkha

In a shocking crime committed due to an altercation, a Dalit man was set ablaze in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh for not sharing a packet of ‘gutkha’. The incident occured in Sapoha village in the Mathura district where 32-year-old Pardesi was allegedly set on fire by two men.

On seeing the flames locals rushed to the spot and doused the fire. Pardesi, who goes by his first name, sustained 20% burn injuries after the mysterious episode as there seem to be many versions of varying truths. Pardesi was rushed to the district hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

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The victim’s brother, Vishambhar narrated that Pardesi went to buy some groceries where he entered into a verbal spat with two men, Raju and Rahul Thakur. Vishambhar alleged that the two men then poured kerosene on Pardesi and set him on fire. Alternate narrations of the story are also making the rounds as police aren’t riling out the possibility of self-immolation. It is being alleged that Pardesi might have set himself on fire. “As per preliminary investigation, it is alleged that Pardesi went to his house and poured kerosene over his body. He then came to the shop and set himself afire. However, the investigation is still going on in the matter,” police sources added.

“Police is investigating all aspects of the case,”,said Vinay Chauhan Mathura Circle Officer(CO).

Speaking to media on the issue, Highway police station Mathura, SHO Udaiveer said, “A case has been registered under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC as well as sections of SC/ST Act against the accused, who are from the same village.” However no arrests have been made so far, said the police officer adding that further investigations are on.

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