The police said that Bhavesh Dhoralia, 45, was brought to the civil hospital with severe burn injuries on Friday morning.

He told the police that he was set ablaze by his wife Vijayata, after he objected to her relationship with a man in the neighbourhood.

“Dholaria has been severely injured. His statement has been recorded in which he has accused his wife, who has been absconding since the incident occurred this morning,” said the police.

A case of attempt to murder has been filed against Vijayata.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Vijayata had locked her husband, who was asleep, after setting him ablaze. The police said that the incident occurred around 7 am when Dholaria awoke to a smell of kerosene and smoke in his room at their Gokulnagar house.

He found himself soaked in kerosene and flames engulfing him from his lower torso. The police said that he made a failed attempt to run, only to find the door locked from outside.

According to the police, it were his cries and flames billowing out of the house that made Manju, Dholaria's sister and neighbour, rush to his rescue.