The mysterious death of Jyoti Ranjan Mathia, a youth from Baliapattana near Bhubaneswar, has taken a disturbing turn following the emergence of a video allegedly recorded before his demise.
Initially believed to be a case of self-immolation, the narrative shifted dramatically when the video showed Jyoti accusing his father, stepmother, and stepbrother of pouring petrol on him and setting him on fire over a property dispute.
Jyoti, who sustained severe burn injuries, was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Friday evening and succumbed early Saturday despite medical efforts. In the video, he is heard saying, “My father, mother and brother poured petrol and set me on fire… There is no property in my name.”
Police have detained Surendra Mathia (father), his wife, and their son, Prashant, for interrogation. The authenticity of the video is under scrutiny, and investigators are probing who recorded it and under what circumstances.
Neighbours reported hearing Jyoti’s cries before finding him in a charred state. He was first taken to Balipatna CHC before being shifted to AIIMS. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for transparency in property-related disputes and domestic violence investigations.
