Bhubaneswar: A man allegedly set his wife on fire and got himself burnt following a dispute in a slum in Odisha capital late Friday night.
According to sources, the couple, Kulamani Sahu and Prabhati Paikray staying in Lane 1 slum of Jagannath Vihar in the city, used to fight over the former’s drinking habit for the last 4 months. Kulamani, in inebriated condition, allegedly beat up Prabhati for her opposition to his habit almost on daily basis.
Unable to bear the physical abuse, Prabhati filed a complaint against her husband at Bharatpur police station and sought protection 4 days back. The police had called Kulamani to the police station and warned him for torturing his wife.
After refraining from his misbehaviour for some days, Kulamani again tortured Prabhati who approached the police on Friday night. The police called Kulamani again and reprimanded him. They detained him in the police station for 2 hours and then released him.
On returning to house late night, Kulamani started beating Prabhati for complaining to police and dragged her to the kitchen. There, he set fire to Prabhati from gas stove. While Prabhati was sustained serious burn injuries, Kulamani was also injured in the incident.
Their neighbours rushed the couple to Capital Hospital in the city. As their condition deteriorated, both Kulamani and Prabhati were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is on.
