Badaun: A 20-year-old man was tied to a pole and set on fire after an argument over where to offer prayers inside a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district. The victim, identified as Mehboob, survived the attack and is being treated at a hospital in Aligarh.
The incident took place on Friday morning in the Sahaswan Road area, a day after a heated exchange broke out inside the mosque between Mehboob and three men from Mustafabad locality. The dispute reportedly began over where they should offer prayers. Worshippers present on Thursday had intervened to calm the situation.
According to police, the confrontation resumed when Mehboob returned for early morning prayers the next day. As he stepped outside the mosque, three men allegedly tied him to a pole, doused him with petrol, and set him ablaze. The ropes soon burned off, enabling him to escape and reach home with severe burns.
His family rushed him to the Community Health Centre in Rudayan, from where he was referred to Aligarh for advanced treatment. Police confirmed that Mehboob’s condition is stable.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Hardesh Katheria said the case is being investigated from all angles. CCTV footage from a nearby petrol pump showed Mehboob purchasing petrol before the attack, prompting officials to verify every version of the events. The police are recording statements and reviewing evidence to determine the exact sequence leading to the assault.
