Patna: A 45-year-old disabled man was burned alive in his hut allegedly by his father and brother in Muzaffarpur district on Saturday night. The victim, identified as Rajesh Kumar Rai, eldest among three brothers, could not escape as the flames spread rapidly while he was asleep.The incident took place at Khaira village, ward no. 10, under Jaitpur police station area of the district. Police are probing the case from all angles, including money dispute, property feud and murder.Police said Rajesh’s wife had deserted him a few years ago; the couple had entered into an inter-caste marriage. He allegedly had an old monetary dispute with his father, Nanki Rai, and younger brother. Rajesh had set up a small general store in a hut near Khaira Brahmsthan and used to sleep there.Villagers alleged that on Saturday night, his father and younger brother hatched the plan to kill him. While Rajesh was asleep, they allegedly tied his hands and legs to the cot and set the hut on fire. Locals rushed to the spot to rescue him after seeing the flames, but Rajesh was burned alive by then.Police reached the spot after getting information and sent the body to Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, for the postmortem.Jaitpur SHO Rajnikant Patel said, “The suspected accused father and brother are on the run since the incident. We are waiting for a written complaint in the matter. Police are investigating the case from all angles, including money transactions, property dispute and murder.”
