Cuttack, Dec. 4: Family discord is believed to be the motive behind 55-year-old Anadi Sahu allegedly setting five persons of his family, including three minors, on fire at their CDA residence on Thursday evening.

While four persons were charred to death on the spot, the prime accused, Anadi, and his 19-year-old daughter Anita, succumbed to injuries at the SCB Medical College on Friday.

The four deceased are 35-year-old Kuni, Anadi's niece, and her children - Rupa, 13, Suna, 11, and Dudul, 2. Kuni had come to the accused's house with her children for Bali yatra.

Police today said that Anita, in her dying declaration before a judicial magistrate, had clearly stated that her father poured kerosene on them while they were watching television on Thursday evening and set them on fire. The alleged provocation was Anadi's second marriage. A heated argument over the issue had ensued between Anita, Anadi and Kuni following which the father took the violent step.

Deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora told The Telegraph that preliminary investigation revealed that family feud could be the prime reason behind Anadi's action.

Reconstructing the events that led to the incident, the police said that Kuni and her children were watching television in one of the bedrooms of the two-storied building where Anadi and his family had been staying on rent for the past one year. Every thing was normal till Anadi entered into a verbal duel with Kuni and Anita over his second marriage. He had married Subhadra after the death of his first wife Parbati about 14 years ago. The family members did not accept the marriage. Kuni broached the topic every time she visited them and Anadi never appreciated it. Incidentally, Subhadra was no longer living with Anadi.

"Anadi never liked Kuni's stand on his second marriage," said aone of their relative.

According to the cops, during the heated exchange of words, Anadi lost his cool and in a fit of rage set them on fire.

The main door of the house was locked and when Anadi tried to escape from the scene, Kuni and Anita overpowered him. However, Anadi managed to flee from the house sustaining nearly 60 per cent injuries. Anita had sustained 90 per cent injuries. However, Kuni and her three children died on the spot. Seeing the smoke, neighbours rushed Anadi and Aruna to the hospital.

DCP Arora said: "Altercation over Anadi's second marriage could be the reason behind the incident. We are trying to find if there are any other angles in the case. A four-page handwritten note believed to have been written by Anadi has also been recovered from the spot."

Anadi's son Arun, who runs a small medicine store at Markatnagar, was at the shop when the incident occurred. Arun subsequently had also lodged a written complaint against his father in connection with the incident last night. The have registered a case of murder.