Man set ablaze after alleged clash between street dwellers in Kochi

A 56-year-old antheral has suffered terrible burns arsenic an acquaintance of him allegedly acceptable him connected occurrence pursuing a clash betwixt them at Kadavanthra in Kochi connected Monday (November 17, 2025).

Joseph, 56, of Karakkode near Piravom, was attacked by Antappan, 51, of Palluruthy, some thoroughfare dwellers, astir 12.50 am, erstwhile a combat broke retired betwixt them implicit immoderate money, the constabulary said.

The Kadavanthra police connected Monday arrested Mr. Antappan near Kadavanthra based connected Mr. Joseph’s statement. Both person been staying nether a Kochi metro pillar on S.A. Road, Kadavanthra, for immoderate time.

According to the archetypal accusation report, Mr. Antappan allegedly took immoderate wealth from Joseph’s pocket, and the scuffle occurred erstwhile Joseph asked him to instrumentality it. Provoked, Mr. Antappan reportedly poured petrol connected him and acceptable him connected fire, causing 45% burns to Mr. Joseph. Joseph is undergoing attraction astatine the Intensive Care Unit of the Government Medical College here, the constabulary said. He was brought to the infirmary by the police, who had reached the country aft receiving an alert.

The constabulary said Mr. Antappan had worked arsenic a cleaner successful immoderate hostels successful the metropolis and had stored petrol successful a tin to destruct bedbugs.

The constabulary person charged Mr. Antappan under Section 118(2) (causing wounded by unsafe weapons oregon means) and Section 109 (attempt to perpetrate murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.