'Uncle' sets student on fire over love affair

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: An 18-year-old student is battling for his life with 85 per cent burn injuries after a gang set him on fire in an isolated place on the outskirts of the city.

According to the police, the gang had abducted the youth from Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru, over a love affair and poured petrol on him before setting him on fire on Saturday. The victim has been identified as Shashank, 18, son of Ranganath, a resident of RR Nagar here.

Shashank is studying computer science at a private college in the city. It is revealed that the student was in love with the daughter of one of his relatives, which was opposed by the girl's parents. Around 8 am on Saturday, Shashank’s father dropped him off at the college.

However, as there were no classes, he was heading towards Bengaluru-Mysuru Road when he was picked up by a gang in an Innova car around 9.30 am. In his statement to the police, Shashank, who is currently under treatment, said that there were seven men who tied his hands and feet before covering his mouth with a piece of cloth.

He identified one of them to be his uncle, Manu, by a bangle he was wearing in his hand. The gang took him to a deserted area near Kaniminike Toll and assaulted him before pouring petrol and setting him on fire. Shashank managed to put out the fire himself and called his friends, who reached the spot and admitted him to a hospital.

Sources from the police said that Shashank had taken the girl, a resident of Mysuru, to his house when she had visited Bengaluru recently.

The parents of the girl, who were upset with their relationship, created a ruckus and assaulted Shashank at his house. After this, Shashank agreed to stay away from the girl.

A case has been registered at the Kumbalgodu Police Station against the accused Manu and others who are currently absconding. Meanwhile, despite continued treatment, Shashank's health remains critical.