Dalit man set on fire in Maharashtra, 5 arrested

Sanjay Khobragade (50) suffered 90 per cent burns and is under treatment at Nagpur.

A dalit man was set on fire allegedly by a group at Kawalewada village in Gondia district of Maharashtra on Saturday.

Sanjay Khobragade (50) suffered 90 per cent burns and is under treatment at Nagpur. All five accused — four men and a woman — have been arrested.

The alleged attack took place reportedly over a dispute between the accused and the victim over land for a Buddha Vihar in the village. The accused are from Powar community, which belongs to the OBC category.

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“We have booked an attempt to murder case against the five accused on the basis of the statement given by Khobragade,” Inspector General of Police (Nagpur range) Ravindra Kadam told The Indian Express.

According to Khobragade’s statement, the five poured petrol over him and set him on fire at his residence around 2.30 am on Saturday.

“The five accused — Rishipal Tembhre, Madhuri Tembhre, Shriprakash Rahangdale, Bhaulal Harinkhede and Punaji Thakre — had allegedly opposed land allotment to Buddha Vihar and got the allotment by the gram panchayat cancelled,” said Kadam.

According to reports, Rishipal Tembhre is a tehsil unit general secretary of the BJP.

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