Nirmal horror: TRS sarpanch sets MGNREGA employee on fire; escapes

The victim identified as Raju was working as a Technical Assistant in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Act (MGNREGA) scheme. He received severe burns and has been shifted to a private hospital at Bhainsa.

Nirmal police registered a case against Sarpanch Sainath and started the investigation.

Sainath, who is the Sarpanch of Patasalvi village in Kubheer Mandal, said he had completed works under the NREGS program in the village. He said when he approached Raju for clearing bills, he adopted dilly delaying tactics. Sainath also alleged that he had been pleading for bill clearance, but Raju ignored it.

On Tuesday, Sainath came to Raju's office and picked up an argument. He later sprinkled petrol on Raju and set him afire. Raju's colleagues rushed to his rescue and doused the fire. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital.

Sainath fled from the spot after committing the crime. Police deputed special teams to nab Sainath.