A man, who had covered a distance of nearly five km walking on a National Highway with burn injuries in his entire body and was then rescued, died while undergoing treatment in a private hospital at Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

The deceased Gangadhar Behera (30) of Sheikh Bazaar of Cuttack city had gone to Safa village under the Tangi police station in Cuttack district on Wednesday afternoon. Gangadhar’s family members allege that he was set on fireby some miscreants, who might have looted his motorcycle, wallet and agold chain he was wearing. In this connection, Gangadhar’s brother Mayadhar has submitted a written complaint with the Choudwar police without naming or suspecting any accused. Police have not yet registered any case in this connection till this report was prepared.

 Sources said Gangadhar had a variety store in the city and had gone to Safa in connection with his business. The incident came to light when shocking videos of his walking with burn injuries went viral on the social media. Eyewitnesses said Gangadhar fainted on the road while walking. He was rescued by an ambulance and taken to the Bhubaneswar hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The rumour mill here, however, is abuzz with speculativemotives behind the shocking incident. Some say Gangadhar had apparently told a treating doctor that he himself had set him on fire out of frustration. Few others echoing the voice of the family, believe that Gangadhar might have been set on fire by some of his acquaintances due to some business disputes.