In an extreme barbaric act, a man allegedly set his mother on fire leading to her death at MPV-55 village under the Motu police limits in Malkangiri district on Friday.
According to reports, Tapas Mandal had a minor altercation with his mother Gita Mandal in the evening, following which he thrashed her on the village road with a stone.
The incident turned further ugly as he poured kerosene over his mother and torched her on the road. He absconded after committing the crime.
Police reached the spot and started investigation. Efforts were on to trace and nab the accused.
Sources said Tapas used to return home after consuming liquor on a regular basis and scold his family members. His wife had recently left him due to his unbearable behaviour.