Three injured on Monday after a man allegedly locked them inside a car and set it ablaze. It happened during broad daylight in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

According to the police, the man who set the white car on fire escaped from the spot and searches are on to catch him. A financial dispute over business is believed to be the reason behind the crime.

"Venugopal Reddy was a business partner with Gangadhar some time ago. They used to buy and sell second-hand cars. However, their business did not run well. After incurring losses, Venugopal and  Gangadhar parted ways," said Vijayawada deputy commissioner of police (DCP) V Harshavardhan Raju.

The DCP said the accused Venugopal has been trying to talk to Gangadhar but the latter did not respond. Gangadhar along with his wife and a friend Krishna Reddy on Monday went to meet Venugopal, police said.

"All four persons were discussing the matter in the car. At around 4:45pm, Veugopal got down the car on the pretext of smoking a cigarette. He poured the petrol, which he bought in a whiskey bottle, on the car and set it ablaze. Venugopal Reddy ran away from the spot," the DCP said.

Police reached the spot after they received an alert of a burning car with people trapped inside. The three were taken to a hospital soon after. While the couple has minor injuries, the husband's friend who was with them inside the car sustained serious burn injuries.

Mr Gangadhar's wife was discharged after being given air and her husband was taken to the police station to record his statement.

The DCP said a case will be filed against Venugopal Reddy after finishing the legal formalities.