Questioned for theft attempt, man sleeping on street set on fire; one arrested

KOCHI: A man was arrested for attempting to kill another man sleeping on the street by dousing him with petrol and setting him on fire. The victim has been identified as Joseph (58), a native of Piravom, while the accused, Antappan (62), is a native of Kochi. The incident occurred around 12.50 a.m. near Sahodaran Ayyappan Road in Kadavanthra. According to police, the attack took place after Joseph confronted the accused for trying to steal money from him.

Both Joseph and Antappan are known to sleep on the streets, and on the night of the incident, they were resting in the same area. Police said Antappan attempted to steal cash from Joseph’s pocket while he was asleep. When Joseph woke up and questioned him, a heated argument followed. Antappan then left the spot, only to return shortly afterwards with petrol in a bottle. He poured it over the sleeping Joseph and set him ablaze.

Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the scene, extinguished the flames, and moved Joseph to the hospital. He sustained severe burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at Ernakulam General Hospital. Antappan fled after the attack but was arrested within hours by Kadavanthra police. He has been charged with attempted murder.