"The accused said during initial questioning that he did not like girls smoking in this cafe, therefore he got angry and set it on fire," he said.
Digital Desk: A 70-year-old man set a cafe in Indore on fire on Wednesday after he allegedly saw girls smoking there. The official claimed that on Tuesday night, when it was closed, a senior person attacked the recreation centre, an official said.
According to Rajesh Dandotia, additional deputy commissioner of police, the suspect was apprehended after being recognised on CCTV.
The official said that the defendant had left the Department of Telecommunications but did not provide any other information.
"The accused said during initial questioning that he did not like girls smoking in this cafe, therefore he got angry and set it on fire," he said.
However, according to police officials, the accused has been changing his statements frequently. They claimed that the precise cause of the arson could only be known after the inquiry was finished.
Even though the senior gentleman set fire to the cafe, which is under the control of the Lasudia police station, when no one was inside, it was fully destroyed. According to Dandotia, the arson cost the owner around Rs 4 lakh.
A case has been filed against the accused, according to Dandotia, under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with purpose to destroy a house, etc.).
According to another police officer, the owner of the cafe told the investigators that the suspect had been hanging about the establishment for a few days.
