After battling for life for five days, Itisree Pradhan, set on fire for allegedly refusing to withdraw a complaint of molestation, died in a hospital in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
A project UP school teacher at Tikiri, Itisree was admitted to the hospital with 90 per cent burns after she was set ablaze on October 27.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced `10 lakh exgratia for the teacher’s family and said the trial would be conducted in a fast track court.
Naveen had earlier termed the incident, which had led to public outcry, barbaric and inhuman.
The police had on October 30 arrested the suspended sub-inspector of schools, Netranand Dandasena, for allegedly molesting the teacher. They said Itisree was set on fire by some goons hired by Dandasena after she refused to withdraw the case of molestation against him.Hailing from Delang in Puri district, Itisree had joined the school as Sikshya Sahayika. In July, she lodged a police complaint against Dandasena for sexual harassment.
As there was no response, she appealed to the State Women’s Commission, Director General of Police, Collector and Superintendent of Police of Rayagada, but in vain.
On the other hand, the associates of Dandasena allegedly mounted pressure on her to withdraw the complaint.
After the incident, the district administration and police swung into action. The Tikiri Police investigating officer and inspector in-charge were placed under suspension.
An absconding Dandasena was later arrested at Ichchapur on Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border.