Constable fines autorickshaw driver for a traffic violation; he returns soon after, douses the cop in petrol and sets him on fire
Constable fines autorickshaw driver for a traffic violation; he returns soon after, douses the cop in petrol and sets him on fireu00a0
Angry at being fined for a traffic violation, an autorickshaw driver in Vasai doused a traffic constable in petrol and set him on fire.
Traffic Constable Anil Aytodekar (42) fined Mahendra Kevat around 8.30 pm near the ST depot in Manikpur, Vasai, for not following the norm of queuing up like other rickshaws and for not having his vehicle's papers.
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Constable Anil Aytodekar suffered 50 per cent burn injuriesOther rickshaw drivers had made repeated complaints against Kevat to Aytodekar and he decided to take action.
Eyewitnesses said the duo had a heated argument and Kevat hurled abuses at Aytodekar after being fined.
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The furious rickshaw driver then left the place in a huff and came back nearly half an hour later carrying a can of petrol.
He threw the petrol on the constable and set him on fire in front of other rickshaw drivers and bystanders who were too shocked to react.
Manikpur police said Kevat fled the spot immediately afterwards and bystanders rushed Aytodekar to the Golden Park Hospital in Vasai in critical condition. He had suffered severe burns and his hands and groin were the worst affected.
"Aytodekar has suffered 50 per cent burn injuries and is critical. He has been admitted to the ICU," a doctor from the hospital said when MiD DAY spoke to him around 2.30 am.
The accused Mahendra Kevat abandoned his rickshaw after setting the constable on fire. Aytodekar's
wife at a Vasai hospital last night
Inspector C M Jadhav of the Manikpur police station said, "We are looking for Kevat. He did not go to his place after setting Aytodekar on fire. We will nab him soon."
When asked about the quantum of the fine levied on Kevat, the police said they haven't been able to take Aytodekar's statement because of his condition.
Family in shockAytodekar's family members were not in a position to talk when MiD DAY contacted them at their house last night. A family member at the hospital, however, said that they are praying for Aytodekar's speedy recovery and that he would be taken to the Bombay Hospital in the morning.
Manikpur police have registered an FIR against Kevat under sections 353 (assault or use of criminal force without grave provocation) 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 307 (attempt to murder). Kevat's rickshaw has also been impounded.
