Pro-domicile mob sets court afire, guard held

Pro-domicile activists allegedly set afire a room housing the court of Special Judge (CBI) Devendra Lal and Jharkhand Vigilance Dept here last night. Though much wasn’t lost in the fire, among the records in Lal’s room were files of the multi-million bitumen and land scams, Lal’s bench clerk Ragheshwar said.

According to the FIR filed at the Kotwali Police station, 2-3 unidentified men led by the court’s night guard Karma Oraon entered the court compound with a canful of petrol. ‘‘In their bid to burn the court room, they poured petrol over the door and fled after setting it afire,’’ states the FIR.

Oraon has been arrested and booked under Sections 436 and 434 of the IPC. The other night guard, Mohammad Eqbal, is being interrogated. Eqbal, who claimed he was the first one to spot the fire, alleged: ‘‘I saw Oraon throwing a chair and table. He was drunk.’’