Phulbani: A man was arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to burn his wife in a drunken state in Phulbani town.
"The woman, Bhanumati Kar - suffered 90 per cent burn injuries and has been battling for life at the district headquarters hospital here," Inspector-in-charge of Phulbani police station S C Panda said.
Narasingh Sahu (48), a native of Bargarh district checked in a lodge here on February 14 with his wife Bhanumati.
He left the lodge locking from outside this evening, the police said.
When burning smell and smoke billowed out of the room, the owner of the lodge broke open the door to find that Bhanumati tied with ropes is burning, sources said.
Later, police too Narasingh into custody, Panda said.