Mumbai:
A 40-year-old carpenter in Santacruz, Mumbai, has been arrested for allegedly poisoning his neighbours by spraying toxic gas into their house following his quarrel with them.
According to the Santacruz police, Babulal Mistry, a resident of the municipality's Gajodhar Baug, returned to his locality intoxicated on Tuesday night and picked a fight with his neighbour Hiralal Balkeshwar (46), who lives with his brother Anthony Swami (49) and son Shivbhujan (16).
Senior police inspector Madhukar Chaudhuri said, "Mistry was a local goon who enjoyed causing trouble for residents.
He would disconnect electricity supply to the area, and puncture the tyres of neighbours' bikes, after entering into fights with them. The neighbours never complained, as they feared him."
In the early hours on Wednesday, Hiralal and Mistry were involved in a row, after which Hiralal went home.
"Mistry had some varnish with him, and mixed it with phenol. He locked Hiralal's house from outside, and sprayed the mixture into the house.
Occupants of the house began feeling the effects of the poison, crying out for help. Neighbours rushed to their aid and broke open the door," added Chaudhuri.
The police reached the spot and rushed the three victims to Bhabha hospital, where they are recuperating.
Mistry has been arrested under section 324 of the IPC, for voluntarily causing hurt to another. He will be presented at a local magistrate's court today.