In a shocking incident stemming from a domestic quarrel, the Athwalines police in Surat arrested a 32-year-old man on Saturday for allegedly setting his father's rented commercial property on fire. The act of arson, driven by a dispute over the premises, resulted in massive losses estimated at a staggering Rs 18 lakh.
The Accused and the Scene of the Crime
The individual taken into custody has been identified as Sunny Patel, a resident of the Nanpura area. According to police reports, the unemployed Patel lived with his parents, wife, and young daughter on the second floor of a two-storey building. His uncle, Kamlesh Patel, and family occupied the first floor. The ground floor housed the shop that became the target of the fire.
This shop was jointly owned by Sunny's father, 57-year-old Umesh Patel, and his uncle. For the past decade, it had been rented to a man named Vishal Patel, who successfully ran a signboard and banner manufacturing business from the location.
The Dispute That Ignited the Flames
Investigations reveal that the conflict had been simmering for several days. Sunny Patel had been pressuring his father to vacate the ground-floor shop so he could move there with his own family. His father, Umesh Patel, consistently refused this demand, honouring the long-standing tenancy agreement with Vishal Patel.
The situation reached a breaking point on Saturday night. Police state that Sunny had another heated argument with his father over the same issue. Following the altercation, he left the house only to return later with a sinister plan. He allegedly procured a bottle of petrol, sprayed the flammable liquid into the rented shop through a window, and set it ablaze. Immediately after committing the act, Sunny fled the scene with his wife and daughter.
Massive Damage and Swift Police Action
Fire brigade teams rushed to the property in the early hours, around 3 am, and managed to douse the flames before they could spread to other parts of the building or neighbouring structures. The Athwalines police also reached the spot promptly and initiated a thorough investigation based on the evidence and statements.
A preliminary assessment of the damage painted a grim picture. The fire completely destroyed business equipment and inventory inside Vishal Patel's shop. Valuable items including a radium cutting machine, computers, printers, and raw materials worth approximately Rs 12 lakh were reduced to ashes. Furthermore, the structural damage to the property itself has been preliminarily estimated at around Rs 6 lakh, bringing the total loss to Rs 18 lakh.
The police acted swiftly on the leads and subsequently arrested Sunny Patel. The case highlights how unresolved family disputes over property can escalate into serious criminal acts, causing not only financial ruin but also tearing apart familial bonds. The investigation into the exact sequence of events and the procurement of the petrol is ongoing.
