A painting contractor based in Bhandup burnt himself to death last Tuesday as he was apparently under threat from a moneylender whom he had been unable to repay.

According to the police, Santosh Babu Pawar had borrowed some money from Chhotu Inamdar earlier. Since Pawar had not been able to pay off the loan amount, Inamdar landed at his place on Tuesday evening with four goons to threaten him and recover the dues.