A 31-year-old man allegedly set a pub in Nagpur on fire after he was stopped from carrying a packet of gutkha inside, with police saying he was angered and felt humiliated in front of his friends.

The fire broke out at The Cafe Barrel in Shivaji Nagar in the early hours of Sunday. Police said their investigation has established that the blaze was deliberately started and identified the accused as Mohanlal Tiwari.

Dispute Began Over Gutkha Pouch

According to police, Tiwari had visited the pub on Saturday evening when he was stopped by a security guard at the entrance after he was found carrying a pouch of gutkha.

Officials said the accused was upset over being prevented from taking the packet inside, particularly as the incident occurred in the presence of his friends.

Tiwari, 31, is a chef who has worked in 10 countries and now runs Samota, a restaurant in Nagpur’s Jayaprakash Nagar, police said.

Police Allege Accused Returned And Set Pub On Fire

Police said Tiwari allegedly returned to The Cafe Barrel later that night following the confrontation at the entrance.

He allegedly poured petrol around the premises before setting the pub on fire, according to investigators.

The blaze was reported in the early hours of Sunday, and police said on Wednesday that their investigation had found that the fire had been deliberately started.

Investigation Into Arson Continues

Police have identified the alleged motive as Tiwari’s anger and sense of humiliation after he was stopped from entering the establishment with the gutkha pouch in front of his friends.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.

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