Woman, her brother and mother critical as jilted lover sets them on fire in Bolangir

Khaprakhol: A jilted lover, who was in an inebriated condition, allegedly set his lady-love, the woman’s brother and mother on fire at Lathor village under Khaprakhol block in Bolangir, today.

The injured were rescued on time and are undergoing treatment in a hospital in critical condition.

The accused man identified as 35-year-old Swastik Das from Dhenkanal district committed the crime suspecting that his love relationship with the woman has broken up. Along with three of the family, Swastik also sustained burn injuries in the incident and has become critical.

According to a police source, the victim woman works in a health facility at Malpada under Lathor police limits. Previously, she was working elsewhere and had fallen in love with the accused.

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Swastik frequently used to take alcohol and the love relationship had become strained as the couple was indulging in altercations over the issue. Earlier in the day, Swastik came to a house taken on rent by the victim woman. He allegedly scolded the woman and forcibly took away Rs 40,000 from her.

Later, Swastik returned to the rented house and blazed it by pouring an inflammable liquid.

On being informed, Lathor police reached the crime spot and rescued the injured. They were sent to a government-run hospital in Khaprakhol. The injured were shifted to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital (BBMCH) in Bolangir after their conditions deteriorated.

Besides, a team of fire services personnel doused the flames after striving for about an hour.

“A case (63/2023) has been registered in this connection and a probe initiated,” said Lathor PS IIC Jhasketan Bhoi.