Puri A 15-year-old girl who was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified individuals in Odisha’s Puri district days ago has died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim in the Balanga incident. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock efforts of the expert medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved, tweeted Majhi.
Odisha Police claimed that no other person was involved in the incident, while the victim’s mother, in her FIR, had alleged that three unknown miscreants kidnapped her and had set her daughter on fire. The girl had been battling for her life for over two weeks since the horrific incident occurred on July 19 on the banks of the Bhargavi River. She had suffered 75 per cent burn injuries and was first treated at a local health centre before being referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced care.
The minor girl was kidnapped by three unidentified miscreants around 8.30 am while returning from her friend’s house. She was taken to a secluded spot along the banks of the Bhargavi River, near her home, where the accused allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire. Her cousin also said she was kidnapped, tied up near the river and set on fire. According to him, the attackers fled from the spot after the crime.
My sister was going to her friend’s place carrying some books. On the way, three people kidnapped her. They tied her up near the river and set her on fire using petrol. We don’t know why she was attacked. We have filed a complaint with the police, he said earlier. The girl’s father presented a different version, claiming that his daughter died by suicide due to depression. hE appealed for restraint and respect during the mourning period.
Odisha Police said that they have conducted a thorough investigation into the matter and found no involvement of any other individual. The police did not make it clear how the girl was set on fire. We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim girl in the Balanga incident. The police have conducted the investigation with utmost sincerity. The investigation has reached its final stage.
On Friday, Odisha Police had recorded the victim’s statement in the presence of a magistrate at AIIMS Delhi. The incident has triggered a major political uproar in the state, with the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress criticising the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government. They alleged that the state is becoming increasingly unsafe for women due to government inaction and a perceived systemic failure in governance.