Bhubaneswar: Police on Wednesday registered a murder case against a woman and her family members after her husband, an ambulance driver, succumbed to severe burn injuries, a day after after he allegedly set himself ablaze outside her residence in Nayagarh district on Tuesday.
Before his demise, Litua Das (32), told the cops that he took the drastic step after his wife eloped with another man recently, police sources said. Das’s mother, Anjana, lodged a complaint at Itamati police station on Wednesday, alleging that his wife, Rubi Nayak (25), her boyfriend, and her family members doused him with petrol and set him ablaze.
“Although Das’s dying declaration indicated self-immolation, we have initiated a murder investigation based on the complaint. The complainant believes that her son made a false statement. She has sought a thorough investigation from a murder angle. During investigation, if we do not come across evidence of murder, the case may turn into an abetment of suicide case,” a senior police officer said.
Police officers are searching various locations to locate Rubina and other accused, who are reportedly on the run. Das, employed as an ambulance driver at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, married Rubi about three years ago. Their relationship began when Das assisted in caring for Rubi’s mother during her treatment at SCB, which subsequently led to their marriage.
Their relationship worsened several months ago when Das learned of her alleged relationship. He was in emotional distress after she recently left with another person, the police officer said.