Ludhiana: A factory worker allegedly set the house of a female colleague on fire in the New Madhopuri area following a dispute. During the act, the accused himself caught fire and was seen on CCTV fleeing the street while engulfed in flames.The Daresi police have registered an FIR against the accused, identified as Ram Shabad of Kakowal Road, originally from Uttar Pradesh. The complaint was lodged by 36-year-old Kanchan, a resident of New Madhopuri, who works in the same factory as the accused.According to Kanchan’s statement, the harassment began two days prior to the incident when Ram Shabad arrived at her home and began kicking the main gate. At the time, Kanchan and her daughter were alone; the accused left after the daughter informed him her father was not home.The following day, while Kanchan was in her bedroom with her two children, she noticed a liquid flowing into the room from under the door, which connects directly to the street. Initially mistaking it for liquor, she quickly realized it was fuel. Before she could react, the fuel was ignited. As the room caught fire, Kanchan managed to escape through another exit with her children. She then witnessed Ram Shabad fleeing the scene while his own body was on fire.With the assistance of neighbors, the flames were extinguished and the police were notified. ASI Sukhdev Singh, the investigating officer, noted that the accused was also an acquaintance of the complainant’s husband, Rajpat. Preliminary investigations suggest a family dispute triggered the attack. Ram Shabad, who sustained significant burn injuries, has been admitted to a hospital in Chandigarh. A formal case has been registered as the investigation continues.
