Man arrested for burning wife to death over dowry

Kendrapada: A 30-year-old man was arrested on Friday for allegedly burning his wife alive over dowry demand in Kalarangiata village tation of Jajpur district.The accused, Rama Barik, allegedly poured kerosene on his 24-year-old wife, Usharani Barik, and set her ablaze on April 10. The victim was initially rushed to the community health centre (CHC) at Sukinda and later shifted to a private hospital in Jagatpur, where she succumbed to severe burn injuries on April 21."We arrested the accused following a complaint filed by the victim's father, Ramesh Barik, on April 22. A kerosene bottle was seized from the accused's house during investigation," said Shiba Charan Behera, IIC of Kaliapani police station.According to the victim's father, Usharani had been subjected to continuous harassment and torture over dowry demands since her marriage to Rama two years ago.The accused has been booked under sections 302 (murder), 498A (cruelty against women) of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. He was produced before the local court on Friday, which rejected his bail application and remanded him in judicial custody.