Baripada: A man allegedly set his in-laws’ house on fire in Naupada under Suliapada police limits around 2:30 am on late Tuesday night, leaving his father-in-law critically burnt.
According to the complaint, the accused, Sikandar of Raghunathpur, had been assaulting and blackmailing his wife. Unable to bear the torture, the woman returned to her parental home. Her parents had tried to mediate and resolve the dispute with help from local elders.
Victim Sohana Bibi, Sikandar’s mother-in-law, alleged that Sikandar arrived at their house last night while the family was asleep. He poured petrol from outside and set the house ablaze. This was the second such attempt — he had earlier set fire to an outdoor clothesline at the same house.
Sohana’s husband suffered severe burns and is in critical condition. Sohana also sustained burn injuries on her hand while rescuing the children from the fire.
The family has further alleged police inaction. They claim that instead of taking immediate action, police asked local residents to detain the accused themselves. Sikandar is currently absconding.
