One Gouranga Das (19) of Kharinashi village under Mahakalapada police limits was arrested on Saturday by police for his alleged involvement in the burning of the 15-year-old Dalit school girl on July 28 here.
Pradip Das and Ekadashi Das were arrested by police on July 29 and July 31 respectively for their alleged involvement in setting fire to the girl after the latter spurned Pradip’s advances. The victim, also a resident of Kharinashi suffered 70 per cent burn injuries, and died 12 days later on August 8. Police said the three youths were involved in pouring kerosene on the girl and setting her afire in the house of Pradip. Some locals, who reached there after hearing her cries, took her to the district headquarters hospital at Kendrapara. Later, she was shifted to SCB Medical in Cuttack.
SDPO (Human Right Protection Cell) SK Padhi said the girl had given a dying declaration as per the Section 32(2) of Indian Evidence Act, 1872, to the Magistrate on July 29 at the SCB Medical.
As per her declaration, Gourang Das was arrested, he added.