Bhubaneswar, Mar 31: A woman was detained on Tuesday for allegedly setting multiple vehicles on fire near the Orissa High Court at Chandini Chowk in Cuttack district, triggering panic in the area.

The accused has been identified as Minati Sahoo, a resident of Biridi in Jagatsinghpur district. According to Ananya Awasthi, police received alerts about vehicles catching fire near the High Court boundary wall.

Fire services rushed to the spot and initially suspected that an electric vehicle battery malfunction may have caused the blaze. However, a subsequent investigation revealed that the fire was deliberately set.

Police said the accused claimed she wanted to meet the Prime Minister, and when she failed to do so, she resorted to the act. Officials noted that she appeared to be mentally disturbed, though further investigation is ongoing.

A viral video purportedly shows the woman throwing a flammable substance, believed to be petrol, which led to the rapid spread of fire. The incident destroyed an EV and two scooters, while an SUV was severely damaged. No injuries were reported.

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