A 28-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death and his body set on fire following an altercation at the home of a woman he was in a relationship with in Odisha’s Deogarh district, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place late on Wednesday night in Babarakot. According to police, the man, identified as Silu Ray, went to the woman’s house between 10.45 pm and 11 pm. An argument reportedly followed, after which he was allegedly assaulted.
Police said Ray’s body was later taken to the verandah of the house, where petrol was allegedly poured over it and the body was set on fire.
Neighbours noticed the flames and alerted the fire services. Fire personnel reached the spot, brought the blaze under control and informed the police about the incident.
Police have detained the woman and her parents for questioning. Investigators are now trying to establish the exact sequence of events that led to Ray’s death. They are also examining whether the incident was planned in advance, including how the petrol was obtained and used.
Ray’s family, meanwhile, has alleged that he was deliberately called to the house as part of a plan to attack him.
His father, Mohan Ray, told police that the family received a phone call at around 11.30 pm informing them about the incident. He alleged that when they reached the location, they found that his son had been beaten and set on fire. He further alleged that members of the woman’s family were involved.
Police said Silu Ray and the woman had reportedly known each other for around two years.
Local residents told police that Ray occasionally created disturbances after consuming alcohol, which had reportedly resulted in frequent disputes between him and the woman’s family. Police are investigating whether these earlier disagreements had any connection with the incident.
The authorities are yet to establish the motive behind the alleged killing. Statements from the detained woman, her parents, witnesses and the victim’s family are expected to form part of the investigation.
Police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the use of petrol and whether the sequence of events indicates prior planning.
The body was recovered from the spot after the fire was extinguished. Further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of Ray’s death and the role, if any, of those detained in the incident.
Police said the case remains under investigation and further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.
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