MULTAN: A teashop owner on Saturday was allegedly set on fire by some college students after he refused to serve them free tea.

The victim, Naeem Bhatti, who runs a teashop in Mumtazabad area near the Government Technology College, told Mumtazabad police that he was picked up by seven students of the college, including Moeenuddin and Muavia, on gun point after he refused to serve them tea for which they were not ready to pay.

He said the suspects doused him with petrol and set fire. He was later shifted to the Nishtar Hospital by Rescue 1122 personnel called by some onlooker.

According to the hospital doctors involved in Bhatti’s treatment, he suffered 60pc burns and his condition was critical.

The police have lodged an FIR (No 589/14) under Section 365/324 against two nominated and five unidentified accused.

Additional SHO Tariq Hasan said both the nominated suspects had been arrested.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2014