Bhubaneswar, August 16: What was initially reported as a self-immolation case in Balianta of Khurdha district has now been confirmed as a case of murder. Balianta Police on Saturday arrested three members of a family for allegedly setting ablaze a 42-year-old man over a land dispute.
The deceased, identified as Jyotiranjan Mathia of Saripur village under Balianta police station limits, succumbed to severe burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar a day after being admitted, officials said.
According to the FIR lodged by his wife, Bijayalaxmi Behera, Jyotiranjan’s father, stepmother, and stepbrother, along with others, poured petrol on him and set him on fire on Friday. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a long-standing property feud within the family.
Jyotiranjan was first rushed to Athantar Community Health Centre and later shifted to Capital Hospital, before being admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where he succumbed.
Speaking to reporters, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone 4), Abhimanyu Nayak, said:
“The victim’s dying declaration, recorded in audio and video format, clearly stated that his family members set him ablaze. Prima facie evidence rules out self-immolation and points towards murder over property dispute. The post-mortem report will further substantiate the case.”
The accused have been identified as Surendranath Mathia (74), his wife Pravati Mathia (57), and their son Prasant Kumar Mathia (34).
Bijayalaxmi further alleged that her mother-in-law Pravati had been subjecting her to harassment, and the tension escalated after her husband was denied a share in the ancestral property.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.
