Case of 'fetish' or 'mental illness': Indian doctor arrested for setting fire to 25 cars
Of the 25 cars, 13 are said to have belonged to doctors who have no apparent connection to the 37-ye
(Web Desk) – In a strange case that has made headlines across India, a doctor has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to 25 cars in the southern state of Karnataka.
Of the 25 cars, 13 are said to have belonged to doctors who have no apparent connection to the 37-year-old doctor accused of the crime, according to police.
Dr. Ameet Gaikwad was caught by a security guard on January 17, reported the BBC. Following his arrest, police said that he had allegedly burned 10 cars already the same day.
CCTV footage in possession of the police shows Dr. Gaikwad wearing a helmet and entering various buildings. Police say the crime was done over a period of several days.
According to police, Dr Gaikwad has been charged with arson. Initial investigations reveal that he would start the fires by using a piece of camphor that he would set alight near the air vents of the vehicle.
The police also suspect that he had set fire to another 15 cars in separate incidents across two districts in the state.
Dr. Gaikwad is an assistant professor of pathology. Police have said that there have been no reports of rivalry or tension associated with him.
Speaking to the BBC, police said it was not clear if this was “a kind of fetish, or if it was a case of mental illness”.
"Professionally, he has been described as a good teacher,” said police while speaking to the BBC adding that everybody in the office where he worked was shocked.
