Set on fire over monetary dispute, Rajasthan Dalit man dies; one arrested

“My son Rohit had gone to the local petrol pump to fill fuel where he met Bhaskar Pandit and Tarun Hada, who work there. They had borrowed around Rs 5,000 from Rohit some 7-8 months back. Rohit asked them to return his money after which the duo abused him. Soon another man, Rasu Parashar also joined them,” Rohit’s father Hariram told The Indian Express on Saturday.

The FIR on May 11 says that the trio later contacted Rohit and called him at a nearby crossing.

“One of the men later called Rohit and asked him to meet them at a intersection. When Rohit came they had a quarrel… After some time Rohit reached home running and screaming. They had doused petrol and set him on fire around 12.00-12.30… we extinguished the fire and took him to JLNH Hospital,” his father stated in the FIR.

The police said that Rohit died on May 25 while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

“We have arrested Rasu Parashar. Further investigation is being conducted. The last rites of Rohit were performed on Friday,” said Ajmer SP Chuna Ram Jat.

An FIR has been registered against Parashar, Bhashkar Pandit and Tarun Pandit under IPC sections and the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities Act).