Traffic cop set ablaze by auto driver dies

After battling death for a week, a traffic police constable who was set ablaze by an autorickshaw driver, died of his burns here Wednesday, a police official said.

Anil Aitawadekar, 42, suffered serious burn injuries when he was set on fire by Mahendra Kewat, 23, last Wednesday in a fit of rage and in full public view.

Aitwadekar, living in Kalyan town in the eastern region of Thane, was on traffic control duty in Vasai town at the time of the attack, according to senior police inspector C. M. Jadhav of Vasai police station.

"We have slapped a murder charge against the accused and will seek his further police remand today (Wednesday)," Jadhav.