A family dispute over an unpaid loan led to an arson attempt in Bengaluru’s Viveknagar area on Tuesday evening, July 1. Two people narrowly escaped after their house was set on fire by a relative.
The house belongs to Venkataramani and her son Satish. According to the police complaint filed by Satish, the accused is a relative named Subramani.
According to police, the accused, Subramani, poured petrol on the house and set it on fire around 5:30 pm on July 1. Venkataramani and her son Mohan Das were inside the house at the time and were rescued after neighbours heard their screams. CCTV footage shows a man pouring liquid from a plastic bottle and setting it on fire before walking away.
According to reports, the conflict began over a Rs 5 lakh loan that Venkataramani gave her relative Parvati eight years ago for her daughter Mahalakshmi’s wedding. The money was never returned. The issue came up again during a recent family wedding, when Venkataramani asked Parvati to return the money.
The fire damaged the front part of the house and broke several windows. Venkataramani’s other son, Satish, filed a complaint at the Viveknagar police station.
An FIR has been registered against Subramani, Parvati and Mahalakshmi under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder and causing hurt with dangerous means. All three are currently absconding.