BERHAMPUR: An 18-year-old college girl, who had reportedly attempted self-immolation five days ago, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday after battling for life at MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Berhampur.
The girl, a Plus III student from Bhetanai village under Aska block in Ganjam district, had allegedly set herself ablaze after pouring kerosene at her residence on March 28. She had sustained over 60 per cent burn injuries, including on her face and neck.
Following the incident, family members rushed her to Aska hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to MKCG MCH, where she was undergoing treatment.
The girl’s family alleged that she took the extreme step due to sexual and mental harassment by her classmate Kanha Rana (19) of Shalabana village under Kodala police limits. They claimed the accused had sexually abused her and threatened to circulate her intimate videos and photos on social media.
On March 25, the family had lodged a rape complaint against the youth with whom the girl was reportedly in a relationship since 2022. Basing on the complaint, Kotinada police registered a case and detained Rana on March 28. He was later arrested on March 30 and produced in court.
However, it was also alleged that the girl was distressed due to her family’s disapproval of the relationship, which led to the discontinuation of her studies earlier this year.
Police said the girl’s body was sent for postmortem and investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse and blackmail is underway.
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