After asking the debtor to repay the money, the man was set on fire, leaving him in critical condition.

Bhawanipatna: A man was set on fire after allegedly borrowing money in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Thursday, leaving him with severe burns.

Sources said the incident took place in Bhawanipatna when the victim, identified as Anjan Padhi, asked the loan shark to repay the money. He has been admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

According to preliminary information, the accused had borrowed Rs 2 lakh from Padhi some time ago. When Padhi repeatedly asked him to return the borrowed money, the accused became angry and conspired to eliminate him.

The accused asked Padhi to meet him at Khariyar Road to collect the money. When Padhi reached the spot, the accused allegedly poured petrol on him and set him on fire. After committing the crime, the accused allegedly fled from the spot.

The victim was rescued by the local people and taken to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Bhawanipatna. Sources said that since he is battling for his life in the hospital in a critical condition and his family members are reportedly busy in his treatment, he has not yet filed a police complaint.