Row over repayment: East Delhi restaurant owner set on fire in car by friend

Police officials said the accused,Pradeep Singh,is on the run.

According to police,the two had a row over the money Sachin had borrowed when they had gone to India Gate with two other friends — Nishant and Rajat — on Monday evening. Rajat has told police that it was “tense” when they returned later in the evening but he had no inkling of what was to happen that night.

“Pradeep went to Sachin’s house that night,and on pretext of resolving the spat took him along to Brijpuri area to eat paranthas,” a senior officer said,quoting Rajat. “They went in Pradeep’s car (a WagonR); besides Nishant and Rajat,one Manish also accompanied them.”

The victim and Pradeep reportedly had another row on the way and the latter stopped the car to settle it then and there,according to Rajat. Pradeep,he said,was carrying a can of petrol in his car and poured it on Sachin. He allegedly lit a matchstick and threw it at Sachin.

According to police,Pradeep and Manish fled,while Nishant called the police. Nishant and Rajat had extinguished the flames by the time the police reached,an officer said. Sachin was taken first to Life

Line Hospital and Max Hospital from there.

With his condition worsening,Sachin was shifted to Safdarjung on Tuesday evening.

The officer said Sachin is still in the ICU.

A case of attempt to murder has been registered against Pradeep in Preet Vihar police station.

Sachin lives in Parwana Road and runs a mini-restaurant in the locality,the police said.