KOLKATA: A teenage boy was allegedly blindfolded, doused in petrol and set ablaze in southern Kolkata, with the accused purportedly recording the attack for a social media reel, police said on Friday.So far, three persons have been arrested and two minors apprehended in connection with the October 27 incident.While police suspect the assault was recorded for social media, the victim’s family has alleged that it stemmed from a financial dispute involving a Rs 500 loan.The family claimed that the teenager was attacked despite having repaid the Rs 500 he had borrowed from one of the accused around six months ago.The victim was stable and undergoing treatment at a hospital for burn injuries to his chest and abdomen, a police officer told reporters.A video, purportedly showing the incident, circulated on social media. It showed one of the accused taking a bottle of petrol from the storage compartment of a scooter and pouring it over the blindfolded teenager, who was wearing a helmet.Another person was seen throwing a matchbox towards an accomplice, who lit a matchstick and threw it at the boy, setting him on fire.The teenager was seen screaming and running as flames engulfed him, while locals rushed to his rescue.
Police suspect attack was recorded for social media reel
According to police, the teenager was returning home when the accused allegedly intercepted him, took him to an area near a pond in Lenin Nagar, blindfolded him and forced a helmet onto his head before attacking him.“When he objected and tried to remove the helmet, they attempted to make him drink petrol,” he said.“We suspect that the accused recorded the assault for a social media reel. However, our officers are also probing other possible motives behind the attack,” the police officer said.A complaint was lodged at Garfa Police Station, following which an investigation was initiated.“We are examining the video and questioning the arrested persons to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the attack,” a police officer said.(With PTI inputs)
