After battling for life for a week, a traffic constable, who was allegedly set on fire by an autorickshaw driver for imposing a fine on him, died today, police said.
“Constable Anil Aitodekar (44) succumbed to burn injuries this morning at Massena Hospital in Byculla,” P Jadhav, senior inspector at Manikpur police station, told PTI.
On October 27, autorickshaw driver Mahendra Kevat had allegedly set on fire Mr. Aitodekar after the constable fined him for not following traffic rules at Vasai in neighbouring Thane district, police said.
As Kevat broke traffic rules, Mr. Aitodekar stopped his autorickshaw and asked for required documents. Kevat did not possess them and was fined by the constable.
Irked over this, Kevat returned after sometime with petrol in a small bucket and threw it on the constable before setting him on fire, Mr. Jadhav said adding, the locals tried to catch Kevat but in vain.
The accused was earlier charged with relevant Sections of IPC including 307 (attempt to murder), the officer said.
“Now the accused would be charged with murder,” he said.
