Laborer Fatally Burned Inside Mosque; Suspect Evades Capture
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Jaipur, March 20 (NationPress) A young laborer, who was tragically set ablaze after being trapped inside a restroom during a dispute, has died from his injuries while receiving treatment at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, as confirmed by officials on Friday.
Initial reports indicate that the incident transpired on Wednesday following a disagreement between the suspect, Hafiz Abdul Rashid, who serves as an imam at a local mosque, and the victim, Hakim Pinjara, a daily wage worker.
Witnesses reported that the imam was discarding leftover food when Hakim voiced his objection, suggesting it should be given to animals instead. This disagreement escalated into a heated confrontation, which was eventually diffused by local villagers.
On Thursday morning, around 9 a.m., Hakim had gone to the mosque.
According to claims from family members and community members, upon entering the restroom, the suspect locked the door from the outside. He then allegedly doused Hakim with petrol—reportedly pre-arranged—and ignited him.
Upon hearing his cries for help, villagers rushed to the scene in an attempt to save him.
Hakim, who sustained severe burn injuries, was urgently referred to Jaipur for medical care, where he tragically passed away later that night.
After the incident, the suspect fled the scene, allegedly escaping on a motorcycle stolen from a villager named Jagdish Sahu. Locals assert that this same motorcycle may have been used earlier to acquire petrol.
Hakim Pinjara, who had returned to his village for the month of Ramadan, was the primary provider for his family, leaving behind a son and daughter, both in their early twenties and currently pursuing their studies, now facing a challenging situation.
The police have filed a case and initiated a manhunt for the suspect, forming multiple teams to follow up on both technical and local leads.
The village is enveloped in a climate of tension and sorrow, prompting police to enhance their vigilance to uphold law and order.