Woman Detained for Alleged Arson Near Orissa High Court in Cuttack
A significant fire incident occurred at the boundary wall of the Orissa High Court in Cuttack on Tuesday, resulting in damage to four vehicles, including an SUV. Police have swiftly detained a 38-year-old woman in connection with the event, which has raised security concerns at the court complex.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The fire broke out around 11:30 am and spread rapidly, engulfing parked vehicles near the high court boundary. Local residents quickly alerted fire services and police upon noticing the flames. Fire officials responded promptly, managing to extinguish the blaze before it could escalate further. Fortunately, as the vehicles were unoccupied at the time, no casualties were reported, although the four vehicles suffered substantial damage.
Police Investigation and Accused's Actions
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo provided details on the accused, identified as Minati Sahoo, a resident under Lalbag police station limits. According to police reports, Sahoo arrived at the scene carrying a bag with two bottles filled with petrol. She reportedly handed her cell phone to nearby vendors, asking them to record her actions, before approaching the boundary wall and setting the bottles ablaze. In an attempt to throw the burning bottles towards the wall, she missed her target, causing them to land on the nearby parked vehicles instead. Sahoo fled the scene immediately after retrieving her mobile phone.
Viral Video and Swift Police Action
The video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, which played a crucial role in helping authorities identify and detain the accused within hours of the event. A police team has been dispatched to a local petrol pump in the city to investigate where Sahoo allegedly procured the petrol in bottles, as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Concerns
DCP Khilari stated that the woman has been detained and is currently being questioned by police. Authorities are verifying the source from which she collected the petrol and working to ascertain the exact motive behind her actions. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, with legal action to be taken based on the findings.
Jyotiranjan Mohanty, an advocate at the high court, expressed apprehension regarding the security of the court complex. He noted that the situation could have been fatal if the burning bottles had reached the court premises instead of the vehicles, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in the area.
