8 bikes ablaze: Thane man held

After a series of incidents of setting motorbikes afire over petty fights, another similar incident took place in Thane on Monday morning. A 30year-old man was arrested by Shree Nagar police for allegedly setting fire to eight vehicles—four motorcycles and four auto-rickshaws—in the wee hours of Monday.

The incident took place near Wagle bus depot, Wagle Estate in Thane West. No casualties were reported, but all vehicles were reduced to to ashes. According to Santosh Kadam, chief officer from Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), “The locals said, they saw smoke near a bus stop in Shree Nagar and informed the authorities around 3am. They saw four two-wheelers and four auto-rickshaws burn with huge flames.” He added, “We rushed to the spot and despatched one fire tender and one rescue vehicle to douse the flames, which were doused within an hour.”

Police said they arrested an accused—Ajay Bumbak, 30, a resident of Wagle estate in Thane. Sukhada Narkar, PRO Thane police said, “The accused had a fight with uncle Subhash Bumbak over a motorcycle. His uncle had submitted his father’s documents to purchase a new bike. He demanded Subhash give him the bike as it was registered in his father’s name.”

After Subhash refused, an enraged Ajay pulled out the bike fuel pipe and burnt it with a match and later fire spread and caught seven other vehicles. He fled the spot.

Police said, “During probe, we learnt of Ajay’s quarrel with his uncle the previous night. The needle of doubt pointed towards him, so, we detained him for questioning. He admitted to the crime, and was taken into custody.”

A case was filed under relevant IPC sections.

He was produced in a Thane court and remanded in judicial custody.