Banda (Uttar Pradesh), July 8 (IANS) A teenager and his brother Friday set a shopkeeper here in Uttar Pradesh ablaze after he asked them to clear their dues, police said.


While the shopkeeper is battling for life with over 80 percent burns, the two accused are absconding, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shukla told reporters here, 200 km from state capital Lucknow.

Vijendra Chaurasia, 35, was set on fire by Ajai, 20, and his 17-year-old brother in the Civil Lines area.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Vijendra had heated arguments with the two when he asked them to clear their dues. With the intervention of the locals, the matter was settled. However, after some time the two returned to the shop and set Vijendra on fire," Shukla said.

The accused, who are rickshaw pullers, owed around Rs.500 to Vijendra, he said.

Vijendra has been referred to Kanpur after his condition deteriorated, he added.