• Source:JND

A 22-year-old Indian-origin student of the University of Texas at Dallas has been arrested in the US state of Texas after allegedly threatening his family members and attempting to set his home on fire, local authorities said. The incident, reported from Frisco city, is being examined as a possible mental health episode, police officials confirmed.

The accused has been identified as Manojh Sai Lella, a senior student pursuing a degree in Information Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas. He was taken into custody by Frisco police on Monday following a call from family members who said they were frightened by his behaviour and alleged threats.

Background 

Online professional profiles indicate that Lella is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, with academic training in information technology and skills related to programming and data analysis. He is reported to be proficient in English, Telugu and Spanish. As of now, the University of Texas at Dallas has not issued any official statement regarding the arrest.

What Police Say

According to police and jail records from Collin County, family members told officers that Lella had threatened to harm people within the household. He was also accused of attempting to set the house on fire a few days before the arrest.

ALSO READ: Indian-Origin Man Dies In Canadian Hospital After Eight-Hour Emergency Room Wait; Wife Narrates Ordeal | VIDEO 

Following the police response, Lella was booked into the Collin County jail. He faces a Class A misdemeanour charge of “terroristic threat to a family or household member” and a first-degree felony charge of “arson with intent to damage a habitat or place of worship.” However, Frisco police have clarified that there is currently no evidence to suggest that any specific place of worship was targeted. Officials stressed that the wording of the charge is based on Texas law classifications and does not indicate a confirmed religious target at this stage.

ALSO READ: Pride Moment: India-Born Doctor Padmaja Patel Gets Key Role On US State Nutrition Panel | Who Is She

Jail records show that Lella’s bond has been set at $100,000 for the arson charge and $3,500 for the terroristic threat charge. A first-degree felony conviction in Texas can carry a sentence ranging from five years to life imprisonment, while a Class A misdemeanour can lead to up to one year in jail. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and further details about the alleged arson attempt have not been made public so far. No attorney has yet been listed for the accused in public court records.


Also In News