Katni: An alleged rapist succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning, after he was reportedly set ablaze by the victim`s family members at Nighara village, police said here.

Raju Vishwkarma (38) had allegedly raped a village girl on April 30 after which her parents lodged a police complaint. He was subsequently arrested and sent to jail, Katni Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Hingankar told reporters.

He was released on bail recently after spending a month in jail and last night the girl called him to her residence for a compromise, when her brother poured kerosene over Vishwakarma and set him ablaze, the police said.

He was rushed to the district hospital with 90 per cent burn injuries to which he succumbed. In his dying statement, Vishwakarma alleged that her family members demanded Rs 2 lakh from him and when he expressed his inability to do so they set him ablaze, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Makrand Deoskar said.

A case has been registered and further investigations are on, the police said.

PTI