NEW DELHI: A 15-year-old girl who suffered over 70% burn injuries on June 19 in Puri district of Odisha, succumbed on Saturday despite weeks of critical care. The teenager, initially treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, was airlifted to Delhi and admitted to the Burn ICU of the Burns and Plastic Surgery block, where she remained critical on oxygen support. AIIMS Delhi confirmed she was under continuous monitoring by a team of specialists but could not be revived. Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi shared the news on X, saying, “Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavors of the specialist medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of the girl’s soul and strength to her family.”
The girl had initially alleged that she was attacked by three unidentified bike-borne men who poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. However, police officials said there was no evidence to support her claim. In her later statement before a judicial magistrate, she reportedly admitted to self-immolation. The incident occurred while the girl was on her way to a relative’s home and was allegedly abducted and taken to a secluded spot near the Bhargabi riverbank. Locals rescued her and alerted authorities. Police are still investigating the case, and the Odisha government had earlier announced it would cover her medical expenses. The case drew widespread attention and came shortly after another high-profile suicide case in Balasore, where a 20-year-old student ended her life alleging sexual harassment by a professor.
