BHUBANESWAR: A man allegedly died by suicide after setting himself on fire, distressed that the Rs 17 lakh he had given an acquaintance for arranging a house in the capital was not returned.
Chandrasekharpur police on Sunday arrested one person in connection with the case. The victim, Ashwini Kumar Tandia, was under severe mental stress after Ashish Kumar Das, prime accused in the case, neither arranged the house nor returned the money despite repeated demands, police said.
Ashish is absconding, while his brother-in-law Prabhas Panda alias Jubli (41), a resident of Balasore district, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the case.
Police said Ashwini allegedly set himself on fire near Kamala Plaza, where Ashish resides, on Saturday. Local residents rushed him to Capital Hospital with severe burn injuries. He was later shifted to a hospital in Cuttack and subsequently to AIIMS Bhubaneswar where he died at around 1.30 am.
A case was registered following a complaint lodged by Ashwini’s brother Manoj Kumar Tandia, a resident of Mahabir Basti. Manoj alleged that Ashish, a resident of Kamala Plaza, had taken around Rs 17 lakh from Ashwini after promising to arrange a house for him but failed to do so or return the money.
He further alleged that Ashish and his associates subjected Ashwini to mental harassment, which drove him to take the extreme step.
Investigation revealed that Ashwini had worked as a caretaker at Kamala Plaza around two years ago, when he became acquainted with Ashish. Ashish allegedly gained Ashwini’s trust by assuring him that he would arrange a house for him. Believing him, Ashwini paid around Rs 17 lakh.
After leaving the caretaker’s job, Ashwini repeatedly approached Ashish seeking either the house he was promised or refund of his money. The prime accused, however, kept avoiding him, causing Ashwini considerable mental stress, police said.
Following investigation, Chandrasekharpur police arrested Prabhas for his alleged involvement. Efforts are underway to apprehend Ashish, while further investigation is in progress, IIC, Chandrasekharpur police station Manoj Senapati said.
Police registered the case under sections 108 (abetment of suicide), 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 3(5) (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)