A shocking case of attempted murder through arson took a tragic and ironic turn in a village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, leaving the alleged perpetrator with severe burns. The incident, stemming from a bitter family feud over property and financial ruin, unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Fateful Night of Fire in Govindapura
The drama occurred around 1:30 am on Tuesday in Govindapura village, under the Thirumalashetty police limits near Hoskote. According to police, Muniraju, who operated an illegal cracker chit fund, arrived at his elder brother Ramakrishna's house with a can of petrol. Driven by a dispute, his plan was gruesome: to set the house ablaze while the family slept.
Officials stated that Muniraju first bolted the main door from the outside to trap the residents. He then poured petrol through a window into the room where his brother, sister-in-law, and their daughter were sleeping and lit the fire. However, the flames spread with terrifying speed. Before Muniraju could escape, the fire engulfed him as he was still holding the petrol can.
Chit Fund Losses and Land Dispute Spark Violence
The investigation revealed a long-simmering conflict rooted in financial desperation. Muniraju had been running an illegal chit fund for nearly eight years but had incurred heavy losses over the past two. Having collected deposits from residents of his and neighbouring villages, he faced intense pressure from investors demanding their money back.
The family had already sold a portion of their shared land to repay some dues. The crisis escalated when Muniraju insisted that the remaining land also be sold—a demand his elder brother Ramakrishna refused. Defying this, Muniraju reportedly entered into an agreement with a buyer. When Ramakrishna stood firm and declined to sign the sale documents, Muniraju allegedly decided to eliminate his brother's family, leading to the petrol purchase and the deadly plan.
Consequences and Aftermath
The entire sequence was captured by CCTV cameras installed at the house. Muniraju's screams for help as he caught fire alerted neighbours, who rushed to the spot. They managed to douse the flames and initially shifted him to Hoskote hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later moved to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, suffering from approximately 25% burns.
In a fortunate escape, Ramakrishna, his wife, and their daughter sustained only minor burns. Police are continuing their investigation into the attempted murder case.
In a separate incident linked to a property dispute in Bengaluru, a 35-year-old woman in Siddapura police limits accused her mother-in-law of pouring acid on her legs during a violent altercation on January 3. The woman stated the quarrel turned physical around 9:20 am, resulting in burn injuries. A police probe is ongoing in that case as well.
