India, April 3 -- A Rs.400 dispute between neighbouring jewellery operators, Mayur Kanojiya, 20, and Samar Bahaddur Singh, 38, erupted into an acid attack and a street clash in Malad East on Wednesday afternoon, leaving seven people with burn injuries.

According to police officers, the flashpoint was a recent transaction in which Kanojiya had mistakenly paid Rs.27,000 instead of Rs.26,000 to Singh. While seeking the excess Rs.1,000 back, Singh allegedly returned only Rs.600, deducting Rs.400 as labour charges, an act that triggered tensions between the two.

The incident unfolded around 3:30 pm in Kurar village, where Singh runs a jewellery polishing shop adjacent to Kanojiya's jewellery-making unit. The simmering dispute escalated when ...