Man Sets Himself Ablaze Over Property Dispute in Balipatna

Bhubaneswar: A tragic incident of self-immolation has been reported from the Balipatna police station area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, where a young man, identified as Jyoti Ranjan, allegedly set himself on fire following a bitter property dispute and family feud.
Ranjan, who sustained severe burn injuries, was initially rushed to the Balipatna Community Health Centre and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
According to reports, the incident is rooted in a long-standing family dispute over land. Jyoti’s father, Surendra Nath, a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector of police, had purchased a plot in the name of his second wife. The property was later registered in the name of his younger son from the second marriage, sparking tensions between the two sides of the family.
Jyoti, the son from Surendra’s first marriage, had allegedly been facing prolonged mental harassment and physical abuse. His wife, Vijaya Laxmi, has lodged a written complaint against her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brothers-in-law, accusing them of continuous physical and mental torture.
Police have detained Surendra Nath and his younger son, Prashant, for questioning. An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the extreme act, which has left the local community in shock.