Nagpur: The four miscreants, who were involved in setting a fire an upcoming restaurant at the six storey JP Square Commercial Complex at Law College Square in the small hours on March 12, wanted to teach a lesson to their rivals as they had an eye on the property to start their own business. This revelation came from one of the accused, Roshan Gani Kayyum Shaikh (26), a resident of AOTR Quarter, P & T Colony, Katol Road, who was nabbed by Sitabuldi Police last night at the airport while trying flee the country.
Other accused involved in the incident — Ashutosh Mundada (32), a resident of Ramdaspeth; Irfan Khan (26), Palotti Nagar, near KRC Lawns,Gorewada Road; and Wajid Sanaullah Khan (26), a resident Suraj Nagar — are still at large. Possibility of involvement of some more persons in the case cannot be ruled out.
According to sources, Pawan Nirban and accused Ashutosh Mundada had planned to start a bar & restaurant at the complex inpartnership. Later, Pawan and Arjun Jitendrapal Chhabra (26) took possession of the said property to start the restaurant. They purchased furniture and other material required for the restaurant and started interior work. Ashutosh, Roshan, Wajid and Irfan decided to teach Pawanand Arjun a lesson. They, in connivance with some others, hatched a plan to set the restaurant afire. Accordingly, Ashutosh,Roshan, WajidandIrfanenteredthebuilding at around 1.35 am on March 12, threw some highly inflammable fluid at the under-construction restaurant and set the furniture a fire.
After half an hour, they came out of the building and fled the spot. Due to fire, Pawan and Arjun suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1.40 crore. Sitabuldi Police procured footage of CCTV cameras installed at Law College Square, two buildings behind the petrol pump and one adjacent to JP Square Commercial Complex. On the basis of the footage, police identified the accused quartet involved in the act of sabotage. Following a complaint lodged by Arjun, Sitabuldi Police registered an offence under Sections 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy the property) and 34 (Acts done by several person sin further ance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code against the accused youths. After arresting Roshan, Sitabuldi Police produced him before the court and obtained remand for his custodial interrogation till March 31.
Accused Roshan was nabbed by Senior Inspector (Sitabuldi) HemantkumarKharabe,PSIArun Bakal, PSI Nitin Vitole and others with the assistance of CISF personnelattheairportunderthe supervision of DCP (Zone II) Rakesh Ola.
