The 15-year-old girl who was doused with petrol and burnt by some unidentified youngsters at Balanga in Puri on July 19 died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi on Saturday.
Odisha Police Says No External Involvement Found in Investigation
A few minutes ago, the Odisha police asserted that its probe had not discovered the role of any other individual in the incident.
“According to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved. Therefore, we request everyone not to make any sensitive comments regarding this matter during this tragic moment,” a post on the State Police’s X handle said.
ALSO READ: EC Refutes Tejashwi Yadav’s Claim on Missing Name from Bihar Voter List
The girl had 75 per cent burns and was first admitted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. She was then airlifted to AIIMS-New Delhi and admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery one day after the accident.
Surgery Conducted, But Her Condition Remained Critical
She was operated on for managing deep burns on July 23. She continued to be on oxygen support, though, and her condition remained critical.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed shock over the development. “I am deeply shocked by the death of the Balanga incident victim. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of the specialist medical team at AIIMS-New Delhi, her life could not be saved,” he said.
Police Also Probing Suicide Angle, No Arrests Made Yet
While the police have made no arrests in the case, they have also investigated the matter from the suicide angle. “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim girl in the Balangir incident. The police have conducted the investigation with utmost sincerity. The investigation has reached its final stage. According to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved,” the X post further stated.
ALSO READ: Chhattisgarh BJP Deletes Post on Kerala Nuns’ Arrest After Massive Backlash
On 19 July, the girl was travelling to a friend’s residence in Balanga when three unknown mischief-makers allegedly engulfed her in flames. A local villager rescued her and initially shifted her to the community health centre at Pipili, from which she was shifted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. Her condition worsening, she was flown to AIIMS-Delhi the next day.
As the incident happened in close succession of the suicide death of a student of FM Autonomous College in Balasore, it elicited national attention and precipitated a political storm. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik too condoled the death of the minor.
