A Maruti WagonR car was set on fire over an alleged parking dispute in east Delhi’s Kalyanpuri on Wednesday. The car’s owner claims there was a parking dispute, but police have registered a case of mischief.

According to police, the case was filed on the basis of the statement by Laxman, a resident of Trilokpuri in Kalyanpuri area. The 22-year-old’s car – DL 3CAZ 5345 – was hired by parents of some schoolchildren in east Delhi.

Six cars were parked at the spot, but only Laxman’s car was targeted. Laxman identified a group of people in the neighbourhood who, he alleged, have illegally taken possession of a building and argue over cars parked in the neighbourhood.

Laxman told police that he had parked the car outside his house at around 11 pm on Tuesday. He then went to sleep.

“I heard locals shouting outside my house at around 12.30 am. When I went outside, I saw my car burning,” Laxman told Deccan Herald.

Laxman made a Police Control Room call and a fire tender was also sent. “We had doused the flames before the fire tender reached. The car was completely burnt,” Laxman added. 

A case under section 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage) of the IPC has been filed with Kalyanpuri police station. “The incident was not captured on any CCTV camera. No arrest has been made so far,” said a police officer.

Laxman told Deccan Herald that the suspects are alcoholics and drug addicts. “They argue with locals over petty issues. The women in their families have also filed fake rape cases in the past,” he alleged.