Politician ‘doused in petrol and set on fire’ before begging for help | World | News

A politician has died after being doused in petrol and set on fire. A Mahesh was allegedly covered in the fuel and set alight near Kotilingala temple on the outskirts of Warangal on Saturday night. Mahesh suffered serious burns as a result of the attack and died before he reached Hyderabad for treatment.

Police have yet to reveal information about the killers, with no mention of motive or who the potential attacker is. Mahesh had been drinking with a fellow government worker, Jannu Madhu, near the Kotilingala temple. The pair were joined by another politician, Pathi Kumrar, and an unnamed fourth person.

Pathri Kumar has been noted as a person of interest by The Times of India, with the outlet claiming the man is a murder suspect in a separate case.

Kumar had allegedly taken Mahesh’s phone earlier in the evening and would reportedly go on to douse Mahesh in petrol. Video footage of the attack was said to have been taken by locals, with Mahesh urging them to record the incident and apparently naming Kumar in an appeal to police.

Mahesh reportedly said: “We fought against the BRS government and worked to ensure Congress came to power. As a senior leader, I worked for the development of the poor and the colony.

“However people like Pathri Kumar are cheating the party and hatching conspiracies to eliminate leaders working for the development of the area.”

Geesugonda inspector D Vishweshwar stated that Mahesh suffered 50% burns. Doctors had advised that Mahesh be moved to Hyderabad, but he died due to his injuries before this could happen.

Kumar, along with five others, was convicted in a 2018 murder case. He had appealed his life sentence and he received conditional bail after only 11 months in prison. He was released four months ago and had resumed political activities shortly after leaving prison.

A case was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharati Nyaya Sanhita.