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NEW DELHI: A 20-year-old man sustained over 70 per cent burn injuries after he was allegedly tied to an electric pole and set on fire by three minors in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district on Friday, police said. The three juveniles named by the victim have been detained for questioning, officials added. According to police, the incident occurred in the Mustafabad Nai Basti area under the Islamnagar police station limits when the victim, Mahboob, was returning home after offering Friday prayers. The accused allegedly intercepted him, tied him to a pole, poured petrol over him, and set him on fire.As the ropes burned away, Mahboob managed to break free and reach home, screaming for help. He was initially admitted to a community health centre in critical condition and later referred to the district hospital for further treatment. Preliminary investigation indicates that Mahboob had a verbal altercation with the accused a day earlier during prayers at a local mosque. His maternal uncle, Kaisar, told reporters that Mahboob was severely burnt and unable to see due to swelling around his eyes, but said he could identify the attackers once his condition improved. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Hirdayesh Kumar Katheria mentioned that no prior complaint regarding the dispute had been received. “Evidence suggests the victim himself purchased petrol from a nearby pump around the same time. CCTV footage from the pump has been collected, and the circumstances appear suspicious,” he noted. Further inquiry is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and determine the motive behind the incident, the officer added.(With PTI inputs)
