Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Ex-Accountant Arrested in Surat Textile Market Arson Case
Police arrested a former accountant named Vinod Savle after a large fire at a Surat textile market.
The fire happened during the night of September 8 and September 9.
Police said the flames spread to 14 shops and damaged goods worth about ₹24 crore.
They allege that Savle poured petrol on cloth parcels outside his old workplace and set them on fire.
Police said he wanted to teach his former employer a lesson.
Savle reportedly said that ₹10,000 of his salary had not been paid.
He also complained that people at the workplace had treated him badly.
Investigators used security-camera footage to track him after he left Surat.
He was arrested after returning to the city.
Surat Crime Branch arrested Vinod Savle, also reported as Vinod Salve, over the September 9 fire at Shyam Sangini Textile Market.
Police estimated that the blaze damaged goods worth about ₹24 crore across 14 shops operated by four textile traders.
Investigators alleged that Savle used petrol to ignite cloth parcels outside his former employer’s shop to teach the owner a lesson.
Police said Savle had a dispute over ₹10,000 in unpaid salary and had complained of mistreatment by his former employer and colleagues.
CCTV footage and human-source information reportedly helped police trace Savle after he left Surat and later returned about 12 days after the fire.
- Who
- Surat Crime Branch arrested 33-year-old Vinod Savle, also identified in reports as Vinod Salve, a former accountant from Maharashtra’s Dhule district.
- What
- A fire allegedly set by the former accountant spread through Shyam Sangini Textile Market, causing estimated losses of about ₹24 crore.
- When
- The fire occurred during the night of September 8-9 and was reported as occurring on September 9; Savle was arrested on Monday, according to reports, after returning about 12 days later.
- Where
- Shyam Sangini Textile Market in Saroli, Surat, Gujarat.
- Why
- Police alleged that Savle acted over a ₹10,000 unpaid-salary dispute and workplace grievances, intending to teach his former employer a lesson.
Police Allegations
Accused’s Reported Account
Cause and intent
Police Allegations
Police alleged that Savle deliberately bought petrol, poured it on cloth parcels outside his former workplace and set them alight to teach the owner a lesson.
Accused’s Reported Account
Savle reportedly admitted setting the fire during initial questioning, according to police, while linking his actions to the salary dispute and alleged mistreatment.
Employment dispute
Police Allegations
Police said Savle quit after difficulties with the accounts work and after alleged disputes with the shop owner and another accountant.
Accused’s Reported Account
Savle reportedly claimed that his former employer and a colleague repeatedly mistreated him and that ₹10,000 of his salary remained unpaid.
Extent of responsibility
Police Allegations
Investigators said the fire spread from the targeted shop to 14 shops, causing losses estimated at about ₹24 crore, and are examining whether anyone else was involved.
Accused’s Reported Account
No separate account from Savle about the wider spread or total damage was reported in the articles; police are continuing the investigation.
- Accused
- Vinod Pandit Savle, also reported as Vinod Savle or Vinod Salve
- Arresting agency
- Surat Crime Branch
- Fire location
- Shyam Sangini Textile Market, Saroli, Surat
- Estimated damage
- About ₹24 crore
- Affected businesses
- 14 shops operated by four textile traders
- Alleged motive
- A dispute over ₹10,000 in unpaid salary and alleged workplace mistreatment
- Investigation
- Police cited CCTV footage, human-source information and route reconstruction under the Vishwas Project Phase-2
- Reported movements
- Police said Savle went to Rajasthan and Ayodhya before travelling through Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and returning to Surat
Sources
A Rs 24-Crore 'Revenge' Over Rs 10,000: Surat Textile Blaze Wasn't An Accident
‘Wanted to teach owner a lesson’: Ex-accountant set fire to Surat textile market over pending Rs 10,000
