Daijiworld Media Network - Badaun

Badaun, Nov 7: In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old man was tied to a pole and set ablaze following a dispute over a place to offer prayers inside a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district. The victim, identified as Mehboob, sustained severe burn injuries but miraculously survived and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

According to police sources, the incident took place on Friday morning, a day after an argument erupted inside a mosque located in the Sahaswan Road area under Islamnagar Nagar Panchayat limits. The dispute reportedly began between Mehboob and three others from Mustafabad locality regarding the exact spot to offer prayers.

Though locals had intervened to defuse the tension on Thursday, the matter took a violent turn when Mehboob returned to the mosque the next morning. As he exited the premises, three men allegedly overpowered him, tied him to a pole, doused him with petrol, and set him on fire.

Witnesses said that the flames quickly burned the ropes, allowing Mehboob to escape and rush home with severe injuries. His family immediately shifted him to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Rudayan, from where he was referred to a hospital in Aligarh. Police later confirmed that his condition is stable and he is out of danger.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Hardesh Katheria stated that the incident was reported through the UP-112 emergency helpline. However, during investigation, CCTV footage from a nearby petrol pump surfaced showing Mehboob himself purchasing petrol shortly before the incident.

“This has opened up several possibilities, and we are investigating the case from all angles. All versions are being verified,” SP Katheria added.

The police have registered a case and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the shocking act.