Bengaluru: A 25-year-old man allegedly set fire to a newly developed roadside flower plantation along NICE Road, causing an estimated damage of Rs 1.5 lakh.According to a complaint filed by Shivanna M, a field security officer with NICE Ltd, the incident occurred between 11.45pm and 11.55pm near Kinko Junction on Hosakerehalli Toll Road on Feb 26. Byatarayanapura police arrested Harish, a resident of Ganapathi Nagar in Banashankari, who was later released on bail.NICE Ltd had recently carried out a development project from Kinko Junction to Hosakerehalli, planting flower saplings along both sides of the road. Coconut fibre was laid at the base and covered with protective mats to ensure proper growth and nourishment, and security guards regularly patrolled the area to safeguard the plantation.While patrolling the stretch at 11.45pm, Shivanna and his coworkers noticed flames engulfing the flowerbeds on both sides of the road. They spotted a man near the plantation. He reportedly tried to flee, but the team surrounded him and questioned his identity. Using water from a tanker, they extinguished the fire, though the accused escaped while being taken to the police station.Byatarayanapura police registered a case and arrested Harish. He claimed he had been smoking near NICE Road and accidentally ignited the coconut fibre. An officer said he has no prior criminal record.
