B'luru: Former employees set real estate office ablaze over salary dispute

Disgruntled former employees, incensed by their recent dismissals, resorted to a destructive act of arson by setting fire to their former company’s office in Puttenahalli.

The incident occurred within the premises of a real estate company situated in Puttenahalli. Subsequently, a formal case has been registered at the Puttenahalli police station, naming Rahul Poojary and Lawson Peter John, both of whom were formerly employed by the company. The destructive act resulted in damages estimated at a staggering 11 lakh rupees, with valuable office furniture suffering considerable harm.

Currently, the accused individuals remain at large as the investigation unfolds. Notably, both Rahul Poojary and Lawson Peter John had served as sales managers within the real estate company, under the ownership of Umashankar and Rupa. Their termination from employment was attributed to their inability to meet business targets.

Trouble ensued when the accused individuals demanded their due salaries from Rupa, an employee of the company, who along with Umashankar, refused their request. This refusal further fueled the anger of the dismissed employees. On the morning of September 27, the assailants arrived at the company’s office, expelled the housekeeping staff, and proceeded to douse the premises with petrol before igniting the fire.

The Puttenahalli police station has since taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation into the matter.