BHUBANESWAR: In a shocking incident, a 42-year-old man was allegedly set afire by his father, stepmother and stepbrother in their house on the outskirts of the city on Friday, over a property dispute. The three were arrested on Saturday.
Bijaylakhsmi Behera, wife of the victim Jyoti Ranjan Mathia, rushed to his rescue, doused the flames and rushed him to Athantar community health centre (CHC). He was later shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, where he succumbed.
Police recorded Jyoti's statement in Athantar CHC and he mentioned that his father Surendranath Mathia (74), step-mother Pravati (57) and younger step-brother Prashant (34) poured petrol and immolated him at their house in Saripur village over a long-standing property dispute.
Bijaylakshmi too mentioned the names of her three in-laws in her complaint lodged in Balipatna police station.
Addressing the media persons, ACP Abhimanyu said that initial investigation revealed there was a property dispute between Jyoti, Surendra, Pravati, and Prashant.
"Based on the dying declaration of the victim and his wife's complaint, a case of murder was registered and the three accused persons were apprehended on Saturday," he added.
Police sources said Jyoti's mother had passed away when he was very young. Surendra then got married to Pravati and Prashant is their son. The trio reportedly mistreated Jyoti and Surendra gave away most of his property to Prashant.
Jyoti and his wife Bijaylakshmi were even staying separately in a house which is not in a good condition. On being asked if foul-play was established behind the incident, ACP Abhimanyu said preliminary probe suggested that it was a case of murder.
The investigation of the case is continuing. More details will be ascertained after receiving the post-mortem report, he added.
Sources said police are awaiting for Jyoti's autopsy report to make certain whether he self-immolated over the property dispute with his family members.