Odisha News: In a horrifying incident in Odishas Nuapada district, a 50-year-old man named Kham Singh Majhi was brutally attacked and set on fire by villagers over accusations of practicing black magic. The incident occurred in the village of Portipada during a kangaroo court, where villagers decided to take the law into their own hands. Majhi, tied with straw ropes, was set ablaze as punishment in broad daylight.Victim tried desperately to escape flamesAs the fire engulfed him, Majhi ran from house to house seeking help, but no one came forward. He eventually jumped into a nearby pond, where his family found him and rushed him to the Sinappli government hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the district headquarters hospital, where he remains in critical condition.Family denies black magic chargesMajhis son, Hemlal, vehemently denied the accusations of black magic against his father. The villagers called a meeting and threatened my father for allegedly practicing black magic. When he denied the charges, they beat him and set him on fire, he said. The family claims that these allegations were unfounded and fueled by superstition.Police investigating many villagers fleeA case has been registered at the Sinapalli police station, and a search operation is underway to apprehend the culprits. According to Khariar SDPO Arup Behera, many of the villagers fled their homes when police arrived at the scene. The investigation is in its preliminary stage, and the exact reasons for the attack will only be known after a thorough probe, Behera added.