Giridih, March 24: A farmer was burnt to death in Holika dahan on Friday night at Karumtand, around 45km from here, allegedly over a loan of Rs 1000.

Suresh Das (28) had taken the loan from landlord Dilip Singh. As part of the repayment deal, Suresh would till the landlord’s land and clear the debt. But the farmer had apparently stopped working for Singh which made him angry, leading to the crime.

Pyari Das, the father of the deceased, admitted that his son had borrowed the money and was working for Singh as part of the repayment plan. For a day’s work, Singh was deducting Rs 30 from the outstanding. He said Suresh stopped working at Singh’s farm after around six months. “Suresh started working in a wood mill and was getting Rs 60 everyday. The landlord was not happy with him because he stopped working,” said the father.

On Friday night, Singh held a feast at his house. There, chicken and alcohol were served. Even Suresh was part of the pre-Holi get-together. Later, they all went to see Holika dahan — the traditional ceremonial bonfire lit on the eve of Holi.

After sometime, Suresh’s family heard that he was burnt in the fire. They rushed him to the Sadar hospital where he died.

Suresh’s wife, Sonia Devi, accused Singh and his aides of burning her husband. However, Singh denied the charges though he admitted holding a feast of chicken and alcohol. “I was there but I do not know how he (Suresh Das) fell into the bonfire,” Singh said over telephone.

The town police have registered a case against Singh.