Drunken quarrel over abusive call to family member ends in petrol attack; Kerala man suffers 70% burns

A dispute among acquaintances in Ernakulam's Piravom took a chilling turn when a 31-year-old man was allegedly set on fire following an argument late on Wednesday night.

The victim, Arun Prakash from Kakkad, suffered burns covering more than 70 per cent of his body. He was rushed for treatment and is currently battling for his life at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam.

According to reports, the incident took place between 12.15 am and 1.30 am on Thursday near Kochu Pally Ground on Sneha Bhavan Road.

The dispute reportedly followed an evening drinking session involving Gulf returnee Jishnu and his friends.

Phone calls lead to midnight confrontation

The trouble reportedly began when Arun repeatedly called Jishnu, but the calls went unanswered. Jishnu's stepmother eventually answered one of the calls.

Arun allegedly used abusive language towards her, apparently believing that he was speaking to Jishnu.

Following the phone conversation, Jishnu and three others allegedly asked Arun to meet them on Sneha Bhavan Road.

The group had reportedly obtained petrol earlier, claiming that it was needed to refuel a scooter.

When Arun reached the spot, an argument broke out between the men, according to reports.

Petrol allegedly poured over Arun

It is alleged that Jishnu then poured petrol from a plastic container over Arun and threatened him before lighting a lighter.

The flames quickly engulfed Arun. The three other men who were present allegedly encouraged the attack.

Jishnu also sustained burn injuries to his hands during the incident. He is currently under police custody in hospital.

Four booked in Piravom case

Piravom police received information about the attack at around 7.45 am on Thursday and registered a case against four people — Jishnu, Chandanu, Salbarin and a local youth known as 'Chakknoole'.

The accused have been booked under Sections 296(b), 351(3), 109(1), 124(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The charges include attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, criminal intimidation and joint criminal liability.

Police said Arun and the accused were known to each other and had previous records linked to criminal activities.

Arun, meanwhile, remains in intensive care at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, battling for his life after suffering burns to more than 70 per cent of his body.