Thrissur: A seasoned criminal drenched a young man in petrol and set him ablaze after a scuffle at a fuel station at Kodali near here Saturday evening. The victim, Dileep of Mupliyam, suffered 30 percent burns and was admitted to Thrissur Medical College. "The timely intervention of some youth who reached the Sree Durga Petrol Pump in Kodali averted a major explosion in the petrol pump as they doused the fire using the extinguishers available there," Vellikulangara sub-inspector Sudheesh S.L. said.
Meanwhile, Mr Dileep ran to a nearby river and jumped into saving himself from more burns. He and his bike were set on fire nearly 10 metres away from the filling point. There were only women employees who ran to safety after seeing the fire. "The accused Bineeth of Ombadungal near Kodali was involved in several criminal cases and is a social nuisance," the SI said. "We will charge KAAPA on him." The absconder has been booked for attempted murder.
He picked up an argument with Mr Dileep, who was counting several ten rupee notes. Mr Dileep was sitting on his bike near the filling point which delayed the filling of petrol to others. It led to the argument and the scuffle, police said. The pump owners will also face legal action as they had given petrol to Mr Dileep in a bottle violating rules. The accused Bineeth had snatched the bottle and poured it over him and the bike before igniting fire using a lighter.
