Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): In a shocking incident, a 59-year-old contractor was set on fire by his builder 'friend' over a business dispute in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur.
Contractor Rajendra Prasad Pal was set on fire allegedly by his friend Shailendra Shrivastava as the dispute arose between the duo over a sum of Rs 18 lakh.
The incident took place in Shyam Nagar in Chakeri area of Kanpur on Tuesday night. Locals upon hearing Prasad's screams rushed to his help and shifted him to the nearby hospital from where he was referred to Ursula hospital where he succumbed Wednesday evening. Before his death, the contractor had told his family that he was thrashed mercilessly by the builder and thereafter was set on fire.
The builder, meanwhile, had fled the spot however was nabbed by police soon after. It is alleged that the builder poured petrol over the contractor and set him ablaze. Arvind, the deceased's son, said: "My father had lodged complaints with senior officers against the builder, but nothing tangible came out." "Had the police arrested the accused builder, my father's life could have been saved. But, police didn't pay attention to the warnings," alleged Arvind.
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Speaking to ETV Bharat, DCP, East, Pramod Kumar said: "The accused contractor Shailendra Shrivastava has been arrested. The accused had a monetary dispute with his contractor friend. We received a complaint in the matter and the case was registered. After receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and shifted the victim to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries."
