Annoyed at not getting ‘respect’ from a young car driver, an activist of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from Rahmatnagar set the former’s bike on fire, following a heated exchange on Friday night.
Jubilee Hills police registered a case and arrested the accused K. Arun Kumar (35), a resident of Rahmatnagar.
No greeting
The victim Umakanth (20), a car driver living in the same vicinity, apparently did not greet Arun Kumar on Friday evening when he saw him in the area, following which the latter got enraged and an argument ensued. Arun Kumar poured petrol on the youth’s bike before setting it ablaze, said inspector K. Balakrishna Reddy.
He said that the incident took place around 11 p.m. and Arun Kumar along with a group of men tried to attack the complainant.
A case under Sections 435 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage), 596 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code was registered against Arun Kumar, who was remanded to judicial custody, police said.
Police stand and stare
The video footage, which surfaced on social media, shows the accused along with his friends abusing Umakanth and trying to attack him in the presence of police, who remained mute spectators.
“Arun Kumar was drunk. He damaged my bike and attempted to kill me with a knife. I believe he is a history-sheeter,” said Umakanth in a video clip.