Vijayawada: Three injured as man torches car

A man in Andhra's Vijayawada set a car ablaze in which three people received burn injuries. The accused, identified as Venugopal Reddy, is on the run and cops are on the lookout.

Vijayawada: Three people sustained burn injuries after a man allegedly set a car ablaze after locking them inside in Andhra's Vijayawada on Monday. The incident happened at Bharati Nagar, near the national highway just adjacent to a five-star hotel.

Two of the injured, Gangadhar and Nagavalli received minor burns while another person Krishna Reddy sustained major burn injuries. All three people were admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

Vijayawada deputy commissioner of police (DCP) V Harshavardhan Raju said that condition of one of the three injured is serious and searches are on to nab accused Venugopal Reddy, who ran away from the spot after the incident.

"Venugopal Reddy was a business partner with Gangadhar some time ago. They used to buy and sell second-hand cars. However, their business did not run well. After incurring losses, Venugopal and Gangadhar parted ways," he told reporters

The DCP said that Venugopal has been trying to talk to Gangadhar but the latter did not respond.

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However, Gangadhar Gangadhar along with his wife Nagavalli and a friend Krishna Reddy went to a place in Vijayawada to meet Venugopal, police said.

"All four persons were discussing the matter in the car. At around 4.45 PM, Venugopal got down the car on the pretext of smoking a cigarette. He poured the petrol, which he brought in a whiskey bottle, on the car and set it ablaze. Venugopal Reddy ran away from the spot," DCP Harshavardhan said.

After the first aid, Nagavalli went home. Gangadhar was taken to Patamata Police Station for a statement," he said.

The DCP said that the case will be filed after finishing legal formalities.

With ANI inputs