Being caught in a compromising position with a girl proved costly for a youth in Rae Bareli as the girl’s family members set him on fire after sprinkling petrol on his body.
The youth rushed outside the girl’s house and somehow doused the fire with the help of his family members and later he was rushed to hospital with more than 70 burn injuries.
He was later referred to the Trauma Centre of King George’s Medical University here after the doctors at the district hospital found his condition to be critical.
According to reports, a youth identified as Ankit Mishra, hailing from Musapur village of Sareni locality in Rae Bareli district, was having an affair with a girl of the same caste living in his neighbourhood. On Wednesday night, he slipped inside the girl’s house but when her family members heard sounds they suspected foul play and went to the girl’s room and caught Ankit in a compromising position with the girl.
The agitated family members first took the youth hostage and beat him with sticks. Later they poured petrol on his body and set him on fire. After setting the youth on fire, the girl’s family members pushed him out of their house.
Hearing the screams of the youth, the villagers rushed out and took him to the community health centre from where he was referred to the district hospital. Seeing the condition of the youth, he has referred to Lucknow.
While the youth is fighting for his life, the police have registered a case against five people on the complaint of the family members of the youth.
Anoop Mishra, brother of the injured, said Ankit was having an affair with a girl from the village and he had gone to meet the girl. He alleged that the family members of the girl first thrashed Ankit and then poured petrol and set him on fire.
Superintendent of Police Alok Prashi said stern action would be taken against the culprits. He visited the spot and took stock of the incident. He later claimed that two of the five accused had been arrested and efforts were being made to nab the remaining accused.