Odisha Man Set On Fire By Borrower, Dies In Hospital

Bhubaneswar: Ranjan Padhi, 55, who was doused in petrol and set afire allegedly by a borrower at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district on November 15, succumbed with over 60 per cent burn injuries here on Thursday.

Padhi was rushed to the Bhawanipatna government hospital and later shifted to VIMSAR, Burla. His condition did not become any better. In fact it deteriorated further, necessitating his being taken to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where he breathed his last.

Bhawanipatna town IIC Jasobant Hial said the accused, Basudev Chatria of Nuapada’s Komna area, was arrested on November 16 under Section 307 of the IPC and forwarded to court. The case has now been converted to Section 302 of the IPC after the victim’s death.

Basudeb had reportedly borrowed Rs 2 lakh from Ranjan, which he did not pay back. On November 15 night, he called Ranjan to a secluded spot on the outskirts of Bhawanipatna town assuring him that he would pay his money back. An unsuspecting Ranjan reached the spot near Bhawanipatna-Raipur road on his bike. It is then that Basudeb came from behind, poured petrol on him and fled after setting him on fire. Passersby heard Ranjan screaming and took him to the hospital.