T’puram: A 35-year-old man, who suffered critical burns after a fellow drinker allegedly set a group on fire inside a bar at Vembayam on Sunday night, died on Monday, prompting police to alter the case from attempted murder to murder.The deceased has been identified as Navas of Cheeranikara, Vembayam. He had sustained more than 80% burns and was undergoing treatment at the Govt Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. His body has been shifted to mortuary for autopsy.Police identified the accused as Aneesh (32) of Nannattukavu. He too suffered over 80% burns and remains on ventilator support at MCH. Police said petrol spilled onto his body before the flames spread.The incident occurred around 10pm when nearly 30 customers were inside the bar. Police said Aneesh, who was known to Navas and his friends, joined them while they were drinking. An argument led to a scuffle, during which Navas allegedly slapped Aneesh.Aneesh reportedly left the bar and returned about 30 minutes later with petrol bought from a nearby fuel station. He allegedly poured it on the group and set them ablaze with a lighter.Besides Navas and Aneesh, Noufal, Arun and Shyam, who were in the group, sustained burn injuries. Noufal, who suffered more than 50% burns, reportedly rode his motorcycle nearly 2km before jumping into a temple pond in an attempt to extinguish the flames. He remains in intensive care at MCH, while Arun and Shyam are undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Police are examining CCTV footage and recording witness statements.
