Man set on fire over argument on Rs 10 note in Ludhiana

The victim suffered burns on his back, shoulders and head. He was referred to PGIMER Chandigarh. Sharma fled from the spot after the incident and was arrested Friday.

Sharma, who hails from Rajasthan had shifted to Ludhiana one-and-a-half months ago and was living in a rented accommodation.

The FIR has been lodged on the statement of Rajesh Kumar, brother of the victim.

Rajesh told police that his brother runs a vegetable shop near Chitti Kothi of Civil City. At around 9.30 pm on Wednesday, Sharma came and bought radish for Rs 20.

Rajesh added that the accused gave Rs 50 note. Shekhar returned Rs 30 to the accused of which one note of Rs 10 was torn. The accused started abusing Shekhar and threw the torn note on Rajesh’s face. Further Rajesh added that when he intervened, the accused left the place but returned after sometime with his relatives. They tried to resolve the matter and asked Shekhar and Sharma to shake hands and hug each other. Meanwhile, the accused poured petrol from the bottle he was carrying and set Shekhar on fire.

Inspector Bittan Kumar, SHO of Haibowal police station, said that an FIR was registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 326A (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC against the accused.