A severe clash over unpaid monetary dues broke out near the Poorva Darwaja Mor under the jurisdiction of Chowk police station in Patna, Bihar, on the night of Friday, September 25, 2026. The altercation turned perilous when a man doused another in petrol and attempted to burn him alive following an argument over borrowed cash. The victim, 31-year-old Ashutosh alias Ashu Raj, sustained serious burn injuries. Additionally, 40-year-old Uday Rai, who happened to be standing nearby to purchase food, was caught in the flaming fuel and also suffered burn injuries, sparking chaos across the neighbourhood.
Dispute Over Borrowed Money Escalated Quickly
According to available details, Upendra, a resident of Kaimashikoh, had previously lent a sum of money to Ashutosh alias Ashu Raj. On Friday night, Upendra visited Ashutosh to demand the immediate recovery of his borrowed funds. What began as a discussion about repayment quickly unraveled into an intense verbal confrontation. Upendra was furious and insisted on receiving the full settlement on the spot, while Ashutosh conveyed his inability to pay the sum immediately, leading to a heated exchange between the two men.
As tempers flared, an enraged Upendra doused Ashutosh with petrol and attempted to ignite it. Within seconds, flames engulfed Ashutosh, causing immediate panic among passersby. During the incident, 40-year-old Uday Rai, who had stopped near Kaimashikoh Mor to buy Manchurian, was struck by the splashed fuel and caught fire as well. Both men sustained burn injuries in the sudden assault, leaving nearby vendors and shoppers stunned by the brutality of the attack.
Locals Intervene and Rush Victims to Hospital
Bystanders and shopkeepers demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by immediately rushing forward to extinguish the flames and assist the injured men. The locals swiftly arranged transport to move both victims to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Patna City for initial emergency care. Considering the nature of the burn trauma, both injured individuals were subsequently shifted to the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna, where they remain under ongoing medical care.
Police Review CCTV Footage and Initiate Legal Action
Upon receiving notification regarding the violent incident, personnel from the Chowk police station reached the scene to secure the area and initiate inquiries. Chowk Police Station In-charge Raj Kishore Prasad visited the hospital directly to meet the victim and record details about the confrontation. Law enforcement confirmed that the accused has been formally identified and efforts are currently underway to trace his whereabouts.
Investigators are scrutinising security camera recordings collected from businesses and establishments near the scene of the incident to verify the exact chain of events. Police stated that all dimensions, including the underlying financial transaction and any secondary friction, are being probed thoroughly. Strict penal measures will be instituted against the accused based on the physical evidence and the formal statements recorded from the victims.
