Gujarat horror: 2 farm labourers burnt alive inside vehicle over Rs 30,000 dispute

RAJKOT: Two farm labourers, including a 16-year-old boy, were burnt alive after two men set a pick up van on fire on the outskirts of Gundaran village in Liliya taluka of Amreli district early on Tuesday.

The police have arrested two men, including the alleged main accused, in connection with the double murder, which is suspected to have stemmed from a monetary dispute over the purchase of the vehicle.

The deceased were identified as Ravi Badhel (16) and Nitin Pachaya (21). Both were natives of Madhya Pradesh and had been working as farm labourers in Gundaran village. The police recovered their half burnt body from the charred vehicle.

According to the police, the duo was sleeping inside the vehicle parked at a farm when the accused allegedly arrived during the night, poured petrol on it and set it ablaze. Trapped inside, the two occupants were burnt to death.

After learning about the incident, family members, including Ravi's father Kamlesh Badhel, rushed to the spot and tried to douse the flames. However, by the time they could reach the vehicle, both the occupants had died.

The Liliya police, along with forensic experts, subsequently reached the scene and launched a probe into the incident. The police registered an offence under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant provisions.

Within hours, they detained the alleged main accused, Vinod Dodiyar, and his relative, Raju Dodiyar. Deputy superintendent of police, Vismay Manseta, said that the murder is suspected to be a fallout of a dispute involving the purchase of the vehicle and an outstanding payment of Rs 30,000.

According to the preliminary investigation, Vinod had purchased the passenger vehicle from a man named Riteshsinh on instalments. Although he had already paid a partial amount, Rs 30,000 remained outstanding.

Following the payment dispute, Riteshsinh allegedly handed over possession of the vehicle to his friend Kamlesh, the father of one of the deceased. Riteshsinh had reportedly told Kamlesh that he was also owed money by Vinod and would settle the amount with him once Vinod cleared the outstanding dues. He had promised to hand over the vehicle thereafter.

However, Vinod allegedly became furious over the vehicle being kept in Kamlesh's possession. When he approached Riteshsinh demanding either the return of the vehicle or a refund of the money he had paid, Riteshsinh reportedly refused both demands.

Police suspect that this dispute prompted Vinod and his relative to target the vehicle, unaware or allegedly indifferent to the fact that two people were sleeping inside it.

"As part of the alleged premeditated plan, the accused first filled petrol in their motorcycle at a fuel station some distance from the crime scene. They then stopped near the farm, transferred petrol from the motorcycle's tank into four to five small cans and allegedly sprinkled it inside and outside the Toofan vehicle before setting it on fire. They subsequently fled from the spot." said police.

Ravi's father, Kamlesh, said the vehicle had remained in their possession because of the money owed by Riteshsinh. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the double murder and the financial transactions between the parties.