Betrayal by 'Friends': Mumbai Youth Horrifically Set Ablaze After Birthday Trap

It's a chilling thought, isn't it? To be invited to what you believe is a celebration, a joyful gathering among friends, only for that trust to be utterly shattered in the most horrific way imaginable. That's precisely the terrifying ordeal faced by Rohan Chavan, a 24-year-old man from Kalyan, Mumbai, who is now battling for his life after a supposed birthday party devolved into an attempted murder.

The sequence of events, as reported by authorities, is truly unsettling. Rohan was allegedly lured by a group of his acquaintances under the guise of celebrating a birthday. The group, which included individuals identified as Vinayak Shinde, Vijay alias Lalya Koli, Sagar Salve, and Ganesh Pawar, led him to a rather secluded spot—a forest area within Khadakpada, Kalyan, late on Saturday night, June 2nd. What began as an innocent invitation quickly turned sinister.

According to police investigations, once they reached this isolated location, the festive pretense dissolved. Rohan was brutally set upon, reportedly attacked with a wooden stick. He was then, in a truly barbaric act, tied up with a rope, doused with petrol, and, horrifyingly, set on fire. The motive behind this vicious assault? A simmering personal enmity, an old dispute that tragically escalated into this life-threatening attack.

In a testament to sheer willpower and a desperate fight for survival, Rohan, despite the agonizing pain and the flames consuming him, managed to untie himself. He somehow extinguished the fire that had engulfed his body and, in a critical state, stumbled his way out to seek help. Local residents, witnessing his grave condition, quickly came to his aid and immediately informed his family about the gruesome incident.

Rohan was rushed to a local private hospital, where he received initial medical attention for his severe injuries. However, given the extent and gravity of his burns—estimated at a shocking 60%—he was later transferred to a government hospital, likely for more specialized and extensive care. His condition remains critical, and he continues to fight valiantly against the immense trauma inflicted upon him.

The Khadakpada police, upon being alerted to this heinous crime, promptly registered a First Information Report (FIR). They've invoked serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 307 for attempt to murder and Section 34 for acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. Their swift action led to the arrest of three of the alleged perpetrators: Vinayak Shinde, Vijay Koli, and Sagar Salve. The fourth suspect, Ganesh Pawar, is currently absconding, with police actively engaged in a manhunt to bring him to justice.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how deeply personal conflicts can turn into truly terrifying acts of violence, especially when trust is so maliciously exploited. The community watches on, undoubtedly horrified, as Rohan Chavan fights for his recovery and the police continue their tireless efforts to ensure all those responsible for this shocking act of betrayal face the full force of the law.