In UP, teenager kills friend, sets him ablaze for speaking ill of sister

MEERUT: A teenager, 18, was arrested on Thursday after he brutally assaulted his 19-year-old friend and set him on fire on Oct 9 for allegedly speaking ill of his sister and keeping private pictures of her on his phone. Police said the victim was also hit multiple times on his head and he succumbed to the grievous injuries at a Delhi hospital on Oct 14.

The incident took place at Ahar's Taharpur village in Bulandshahr district. Police said that the accused had criminal antecedents and was also involved in a rape case in 2023.

Anupshahr circle officer (CO), Girja Shankar Tripathi, said, "A fight broke out when the two friends were involved in a drinking session. It seems the 19-year-old accused challenged his friend that he would run away with his sister some day, and the former also had some private pictures of her on his mobile, which the latter wanted him to delete."

The CO added: "In a fit of rage, the accused hit his friend repeatedly with a stick. When he collapsed, he left the victim's bike near him, opened its petrol tank and set it on fire, and then fled. A case of murder was registered against the teenager and he was arrested. Further investigation is on."