The VB Nagar police have added charges of attempt to murder and rioting in the case of a 21-year-old man who was allegedly beaten and set on fire by his childhood friends during his birthday celebration in the early hours of November 25 in Kurla. Five accused, aged between 18 and 21, have now been booked under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections related to unlawful assembly and rioting.
The accused allegedly dragged their friend, Abdul Khan, out of his residence, assaulted him with stones and wooden sticks, and set his clothes on fire. Initially, police had registered an FIR under Section 110 of the BNS (attempt to commit culpable homicide), which carries a maximum punishment of three years. The stricter charge of attempt to murder, punishable with up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine, was added after Khan recorded a supplementary statement citing the severity of his injuries.
“It was the victim’s insistence, along with medical reports of his burn injuries, that led to the additional sections being invoked,” a police official said.
The supplementary statement was submitted through Khan’s lawyers, advocates Mahesh Vinod Rajpopat and Akshit Devendra Kothari, who appeared before the court as complainants. The accused — Ayaz Malik, Ayan Malik, Salman Chaudhary, Ajjubaila Khan, and Sarif Shaikh — were arrested soon after the FIR was filed. Police said the group had gathered at Khan’s home around midnight with a cake.
A quarrel reportedly broke out after the celebration. While the accused initially claimed the assault happened “masti masti mein”, further investigation revealed an alleged motive of jealousy.
Police said Khan often received attention from women, which allegedly angered the accused, one of whom was upset after being rejected by a woman who preferred Khan. ‘
“This anger built up over time. The intention was to disfigure him by setting him on fire, so that he would become less approachable to women,” an official said.
The attack allegedly occurred around 12.10 am. As his clothes were set ablaze, Khan ran towards a nearby water tap, screaming for help. Neighbours rushed him to the hospital, where he continues to undergo treatment for serious burn injuries.
