Bhabanipatana: A 58-year-old man was arrested for allegedly pouring petrol on his daughter-in-law and setting her on fire over dowry demands at Gotomunda village under Koksara block in Kalahandi district, police said Monday.
The victim, Geetanjali Lahajala, 28, sustained severe burn injuries and was initially admitted to the Dharmagarh hospital. She was later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bhabanipatana, where she is undergoing treatment. According to a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, Shankar Prasad Naik, his son-in-law’s father, identified as Pabitra Laha Jala, had allegedly subjected Geetanjali to physical and mental harassment over dowry since her marriage in 2021. The complaint alleged that Pabitra poured petrol on Geetanjali and set her on fire Saturday evening following a dispute over dowry.
Police registered a case (63/2026) at Ampani police station and arrested the accused. He was produced before a court Monday, police said. Ampani police station inspector-in-charge Jyoti Prakash Tandi confirmed the arrest and said further investigation was underway.
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