A 65-year-old man died allegedly by immolating himself in his house in Ganjam district of Odisha on Wednesday. The man is suspected to have been suffering from depression, police said.
The incident took place in Badiaostha village under Pattapur police station area of Ganjan district. The deceased has been identified as Pitabash Acharya, a priest by profession.
Acharya was living with his wife in the house. His two sons lived separately — one in the same village while the other one in Berhampur, a police officer said.
Acharya allegedly set himself on fire after pouring kerosene in the backyard of his house, while his wife Kuni was busy with household chores, the police officer said.
Though family members and villagers tried doused the fire and rushed him to a nearby community health centre in Adapada, the doctors declared him brought dead, the officer said.
The deceased was suffering from different diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, gastroenteritis, among others.
For the last few days, he was depressed and this might be the cause of him taking the extreme step, the officer said following a preliminary investigation.
“We have registered an unnatural death case at Pattapur police station and are investigating to ascertain the exact cause behind the self-immolation,” Ganjam Superintendent of Police Subhendu Patra said.
Police also found a suicide note in his home, where he wrote no one was responsible for his death.
Acharya’s younger son Sitaram said his father was suffering from multiple diseases. “He was depressed and remained silent for the last few days. But we had no inkling that he would take such a step,” he added.
