Mumbai:
In a shocking incident from Kurla, a 21-year-old college student was allegedly set on fire by his friends during what they claimed was a birthday prank. Police have termed the incident a case of “prank gone wrong”, while the victim’s family has accused the group of repeatedly harassing him in the past. Five friends have been arrested in connection with the case.
The victim, identified as Abdul Rehman Khan, suffered 35% burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a city hospital.
Called Outside Home on Pretext of Cake Cutting
The incident took place around midnight on Monday. According to police, Abdul was called outside his house by his friends for a birthday cake-cutting celebration. During the gathering, the group first threw eggs at him. As Abdul prepared to cut the cake, one of the friends allegedly poured petrol on him from a bottle, while another tried to scare him with a lighter. In the commotion, Abdul’s shirt caught fire, leaving him severely injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Family Claims Friends Harassed Him Earlier Too
A family member revealed that the arrested accused were known to Abdul and had troubled him in the past. Last year too, they had asked him to join them for a cake-cutting event, but he refused. “They used to harass him regularly. This time, they persuaded him by saying they had brought a cake for him,” the family member said.
They also questioned why attempt to murder charges were not filed, alleging that all the accused live in the same locality and had recently shifted to a larger house.
Police Maintain It Was a ‘Prank Gone Wrong’
Senior Inspector Popat Awhad of VB Nagar Police Station stated that the five accused have been arrested under charges of causing grievous hurt by a rash and negligent act, not attempted murder. Police claim the intention to burn Abdul was not established.
Officials also said that the petrol bottle was being carried to refuel one of the accused’s motorcycles, which had run out of fuel earlier. They added that Abdul’s statement has been recorded and he has not accused his friends of intentionally harming him.
The incident has left the family devastated, demanding a deeper probe and stricter action.
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