Balangir: A shop owner was charred to death when fire caught his shop at the PP Academy Square in Balangir town late on Tuesday night.
According to reports, the deceased, identified as Suraj Kheti (27), a native of Malapada village, was sleeping inside his shop when the fire hit the shop at about 12 am.
Following information by the locals, the Town Police informed the Fire Brigade which rushed to the spot and doused the fire.
Police later sent the charred body of the deceased to the district headquarters hospital for post-mortem.
On the other hand, the elder brother of the deceased has lodged a complaint with the police alleging the murder of his brother.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the deceased had an altercation with the two youths two days ago. The two youths had come to his shop on Monday and threatened him.
