The VB Nagar police have added charges of attempt to murder and rioting in the case of a 21-year-old man who was allegedly beaten and set on fire by his childhood friends during his birthday celebration in the early hours of November 25 in Kurla. Five accused, aged between 18 and 21, have now been booked under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections related to unlawful assembly and rioting.

The accused allegedly dragged their friend, Abdul Khan, out of his residence, assaulted him with stones and wooden sticks, and set his clothes on fire. Initially, police had registered an FIR under Section 110 of the BNS (attempt to commit culpable homicide), which carries a maximum punishment of three years. The stricter charge of attempt to murder, punishable with up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine, was added after Khan recorded a supplementary statement citing the severity of his injuries.