Bhubaneswar: A 26-year-old woman is battling for her life after a man allegedly poured petrol on her while she was asleep and set her on fire in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place late Friday night at Jaratola village under Santoshpur Panchayat in Bisra block near Rourkela. The victim sustained around 40 per cent burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Rourkela, where her condition is stated to be critical.

Police have arrested the accused, who allegedly carried out the attack after the woman rejected his advances.

According to Sundargarh Superintendent of Police, the accused was obsessed with the victim and had been pursuing her despite her lack of interest. Preliminary investigation revealed that he allegedly poured petrol into the house through a window while the woman was asleep and ignited it with the intention of killing her.

The woman’s screams alerted neighbours, who rushed to the house, rescued her from the flames and shifted her to hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, a police team, accompanied by forensic experts, visited the crime scene and collected evidence. Investigators subsequently identified and arrested the accused.

Police said the attack appeared to have been motivated by one-sided love after the victim rejected the accused’s advances.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Police said additional forensic evidence was being examined, and legal proceedings against the accused had been initiated.

The incident has triggered shock and outrage in the area, once again drawing attention to crimes against women stemming from obsessive behaviour and rejected romantic advances.