Berhampur: A constable of the Odisha Motor Vehicle Department (OMVD), who suffered burn injuries after allegedly being set on fire by his wife and brother-in-law in Odisha’s Ganjam district a week ago, Friday succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, police said.
The deceased was identified as Ashutosh Mrudungi, who was posted as a constable with the OMVD in Berhampur.
Mrudungi sustained around 80 per cent burn injuries in the incident that occurred on the night of June 5. He was initially admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar after his condition deteriorated, family members said.
Police initially suspected the case to be one of self-immolation. However, the deceased’s sister, Nivedita Devi, lodged a complaint against Mrudungi’s wife, a woman constable posted at the police reserve office in Berhampur, and his brother-in-law, a police officer said.
“We have already registered a case against the duo. The statement of the deceased was recorded before his death. Statements of the accused and some other persons in the area have also been recorded. Evidence has been collected by the scientific team and an investigation is underway,” Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said.
Action will be taken against the accused if their involvement in the death is established during the investigation, he said.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s sister demanded the immediate arrest of Mrudungi’s wife and brother-in-law, alleging that they were responsible for his death.
According to police, Mrudungi had married the woman constable around one-and-a-half years ago. The couple had been involved in domestic disputes, and cases relating to domestic violence and dowry harassment had been registered at Koraput Town police station and Berhampur Mahila police station on complaints filed by the woman constable.
Police said that on May 18, Mrudungi allegedly assaulted his wife, Sandhya, causing injuries to her face, abdomen and hands. She was three months pregnant at the time. The woman alleged that she suffered a miscarriage on May 23 following the assault.
Mrudungi was arrested by the police the same day and was released on bail on June 3.
The burn incident occurred on June 5 when he was on his way to his wife’s government quarters at Bijipur in Berhampur, police said.
