Asia

Land Owner Burns India Official Alive Over Alleged Property Dispute - Report

Vijaya Reddy, 37, died in a blaze after her office in Abdullapurmet was set on fire on Monday over a dramatically-escalated land dispute. Her driver - who tried to rescue the official - succumbed hours later to his wounds.
Sputnik

Local witnesses told the NDTV broadcaster that the suspect - identified by police as Suresh Mudiraju - entered Reddy's office with passbooks related to his property on Monday afternoon. Some half an hour later, Reddy rushed out of the office engulfed in flames. Her fellow-employees tried to extinguish her by wrapping her in a blanket.

"Suresh Mudiraju did not act on impulse. He came to the victim's office with a plan", local police said, adding that "the driver, Gurunatham, died at a hospital while undergoing treatment", according to the NDTV.

The NDTV reported that the suspect had grievances related to the local revenue department, which apparently refused to fix certain errors in his documents, related to an ongoing court case involving his property. The suspect reportedly made repeated trips to the revenue office before setting it on fire.

Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The brutal attack on the official has sparked protests in the area. Locals have reportedly blocked nearby roads demanding justice, better security and rapid probe of the incident.
Discuss