Haryana driver dies after being set on fire, relatives accuse 4 men part of farmers’ protest

The victim has been identified as Mukesh.

According to the police, an FIR has been registered against four men.

“The victim’s family has alleged that four people set him on fire after sprinkling petrol or diesel. One accused has been identified as Krishan from Jind,” Pawan Kumar, DSP (Bahadurgarh) was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

However, it is not yet clear if the victim and the accused were known to each other.

Mukesh, who is believed to be a bus driver, had gone out for a walk at around 6 pm on Wednesday after which he was set on fire.

According to the village sarpanch, Mukesh’s brother Madan had called him and asked to come to the bypass.

"When I reached there, Mukesh had already been set on fire. We called an ambulance and took him to the civil hospital. In the ambulance, he told us that he had been drinking with four men who had told him they were part of the farmers’ movement. He said they set him on fire using a matchstick, Mukesh succumbed to injuries at around 2.30 am,” sarpanch Toni Kumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

“As far as we know, Mukesh had not met these people before. We do not know why they did this. We do not think farmers will do such a thing. He was the only earning member of his family. How will his wife and child manage now? The government must give them compensation,” he said.