Teenager set on fire by pouring petrol for social media reel, three apprehended

An extremely cruel and shocking incident has emerged from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, in which three individuals allegedly blindfolded a teenager, poured petrol on his body, and subsequently set him on fire. According to a report by Amar Ujala, a video of the entire incident has surfaced, based on which the police suspect that the attack was carried out solely for the purpose of creating a 'reel' for social media. However, members of the victim's family have made serious allegations that an old monetary dispute is behind the attack.

The horrific incident took place on 27 October in the Lenin Nagar area of South Kolkata. According to the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, the accused intercepted the teenager while he was returning to his home. The accused forcibly took him to a pond. Upon reaching there, they blindfolded the teenager and forcibly placed a helmet on his head. When the teenager protested the act and attempted to remove the helmet from his head, the accused also attempted to force him to drink petrol. After doing so, the accused poured petrol on his body and set him on fire.

A video of this incident has gone viral on social media, which clearly illustrates the brutality of the event. In the video, one accused can be seen taking a petrol bottle out of a scooter's dikki and pouring it on the blindfolded teenager. Subsequently, another person throws a matchstick towards the accused. The accused lights the matchstick and throws it towards the teenager, causing his body to catch fire. As soon as the fire broke out, the teenager began screaming loudly and was seen running while ablaze. Seeing this scene, people in the vicinity rushed to save him.

The claims of the police and the family regarding the motive behind this attack are different. According to the victim's family, an old dispute over money is responsible for this attack. The family alleges that about six months ago, the teenager had borrowed ₹500 from one of the accused. The family claims that the teenager had already returned this amount, yet he was targeted. On the other hand, the police suspect that the accused recorded the entire incident merely to make a reel for social media and committed this fatal act for that reason.

A police officer stated on Friday that while preliminary investigations suggest the video was recorded to make a social media reel, it has not yet been considered the final and conclusive motive. The police are also investigating all other possible motives. The investigating officer is currently conducting a detailed examination of the viral video and interrogating the arrested accused. The police are attempting to ascertain the sequence of events and the true intention of the accused.

Strict action has been taken by the police in this matter, and a total of three accused, including two minors, have been arrested. The police are now collecting more evidence in this case to ensure stringent legal action is taken against the accused.