Thiruvananthapuram: Disabled man succumbs to burn injuries

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A disabled man, who was under treatment after he sustained burn injuries in an assault, succumbed to injuries at the Medical College Hospital (MCH) here on Saturday. He was identified as Varghese, 47, a resident of Aruviyodu, Kunnathukal. He is survived by wife and two sons.
The incident happened on May 12. Varghese ran a coffin shop attached to his house. Sebastian, 55, who resides opposite the shop had filed complaints with local authorities saying that the shop functioned in an illegal manner and that it should be demolished. The local authorities did not act on the complaint after finding no merit in it. This infuriated Sebastian and he allegedly hurled petrol filled bottles at Varghese who was in his shop and also flung fire stick. Varghese suffered burns and he was rushed to the MCH. Owing to the serious nature of injuries, he died on Saturday.
Sebastian, who tried to escape from the scene after hurling petrol bottles, was chased down by locals and he was handed over to police. The police had earlier registered a case under Section 307 IPC and following the death of Varghese, Section 302 was registered.
State commissionerate for disabled demanded further probe by a higher level official into the matter. The commissioner also demanded that appropriate compensation shall be levied from the accused for the family of Varghese.