Odisha Woman Critically Burnt After Man Allegedly Sets House Ablaze Over Rejected Marriage Proposal

A 26-year-old woman suffered critical burn injuries after a man allegedly set her house on fire while she was asleep in Odisha's Sundargarh district , in what police suspect to be a case of one sided obsession following her rejection of his marriage proposal. The accused has been arrested, and an investigation is underway into the attempted murder.

The incident occurred late on Friday night in a village under Bisra block of Sundargarh district. According to the preliminary police investigation, the accused, identified as Rajat Kiro , had allegedly been pursuing the woman for marriage and became enraged after she repeatedly rejected his advances.

Police said the accused allegedly poured petrol through the window of the woman's room before setting the house on fire with the intention of killing her while she slept.

The victim's father, Jena Toppo , claimed that his younger brother's wife saw Kiro standing near the window moments before flames engulfed the house. He also alleged that the accused had been harassing his daughter for some time after she refused his marriage proposal.

Hearing the woman's screams, family members and neighbours rushed to the burning house, rescued her, and immediately shifted her to a private hospital in Rourkela . According to hospital sources, she sustained around 40 per cent burn injuries and remains in critical condition .

A scientific investigation team visited the scene along with local police and collected forensic evidence. Investigators believe the attack was driven by the accused's alleged obsession with the victim, although they said all angles are being examined as part of the ongoing probe.

Police confirmed that Rajat Kiro has been arrested and will be produced before a court. Officials said further investigation is in progress to establish the full sequence of events and gather additional evidence.