Property Dispute Turns Deadly: Son Sets Family on Fire, One Sibling Succumbs
In a shocking incident stemming from a bitter property dispute, a 30-year-old man in Pargi, Vikarabad district, allegedly set his father, stepmother, and two half-brothers on fire. The tragic event has resulted in the death of one sibling, while the father and stepmother remain in critical condition, according to police reports.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The accused, identified as Anar Singh, is reported to have carried out the attack in the early hours of the morning. He went to the terrace of the victims' house around 1 am and, through a hole in the roof, poured petrol into the home where four family members were sleeping. Singh then set the house ablaze and allegedly locked the front door from the outside, trapping the victims inside.
"Villagers, alerted by the victims' screams, broke open the door and shifted all four to hospital," a police officer from Pargi stated. The deceased has been identified as Nenavath Venkatesh, aged 25, who suffered approximately 90% burns. His father, Hanumanth, sustained 40% burns, and his stepmother, Ramani Bai, also suffered 90% burns. Another son, Shiva, escaped with minor injuries, while a daughter, Naveena, was not home at the time of the incident.
Roots of the Family Feud
Preliminary investigations reveal that the dispute began after the death of Singh's mother, Nathi Bai, five months ago due to ill health. Following her passing, Singh and his father, Hanumanth, became embroiled in a conflict over the partition of approximately six acres of family property. Hanumanth had previously been married to Nathi Bai and had two children with her—Singh and Chitti Bai. After Nathi Bai's death, Hanumanth married Ramani Bai, a local sarpanch, with whom he had three children, including Venkatesh.
"Since the first wife's death, he and Singh have been sparring over the partition of the former's property and also the money that Hanumanth received through Rythu Bhima (Rs 5 lakh)," the police officer explained. The situation escalated on March 18 when both parties arrived at the Pargi police station to file cases against each other.
Escalation and Arrest
The conflict reached a boiling point over the division of the land. Hanumanth had allocated one acre to Singh and retained the remaining more than five acres for his second wife and her children. Singh insisted on an equal division, leading to ongoing legal battles and heightened tensions.
"As per the complaint by Shiva, Singh threatened to kill them even as the house was burning," the officer added, highlighting the alleged brutality of the attack. Following the fire, police initially arrested Singh on charges of attempt to murder. However, after Venkatesh succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, the charges were altered to murder.
Current Status and Investigation
Pargi police have formally booked a case of murder against Anar Singh and have launched a thorough probe into the incident. The condition of Hanumanth and Ramani Bai remains critical, with doctors closely monitoring their recovery. The community has been left in shock by the violent turn of events, underscoring the devastating impact of family disputes over property.
This case serves as a grim reminder of how unresolved conflicts can spiral into tragedy, prompting calls for better mediation and legal support in such matters to prevent future occurrences.
