An elderly man was detained for allegedly trying to set ablaze his son and daughter-in-law by dousing petrol over a suspected family dispute.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Barasinga village under Barang police station limits on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
According to sources, the couple was having food when the accused man threw petrol on them and set them on fire. Hearing the screams, neighbours rushed to the spot and rescued the duo.
The accused man, Gobardhan Raut (66), poured petrol on his son Dinabandhu (38) and daughter-in-law Puja (36) and set them on fire while the son and daughter-in-law were eating.
The locals rescued them in critical condition and admitted them to Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment. It is learnt that Dinabandhu is in critical condition now.
On learning about the incident, Godisahi Out-post in-charge Bichitra Nanda Pradhan apprehended the accused man Gobardhan Raut at the scene.
Police sources said that the accused is being detained in the police station for interrogation.
