15-year-old girl dies after being set on fire in India, sparks political outrage

A 15-year-old girl from Odisha’s Puri district, who had suffered 75 per cent burns after allegedly being set on fire by unidentified miscreants, succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Delhi on Saturday. Her death has triggered grief, outrage, and a political slugfest over women’s safety and policing in the state.

The incident took place on July 19 in the Balanga area when the girl went out with friends but was reportedly abducted midway and taken to a riverside spot where she was set ablaze. Despite battling for life for over two weeks — first in AIIMS Bhubaneswar and then in the Burn ICU of AIIMS Delhi — she could not be saved.

“Yesterday morning we were told she was talking and was fine. We don’t know what happened in the afternoon… by evening, we had lost her,” her brother told ANI, adding that the family had always hoped she would return home.

Her uncle echoed the sentiment: “It is extremely sad. Everyone is disheartened. She was good. But she has left us.” He said the family had no complaints about the treatment and acknowledged the government’s support.

The girl’s father, overwhelmed by grief, requested that his family be kept out of politics. “I don’t want to point fingers at anyone. Everyone prayed for my daughter… I don’t want to blame anyone,” he said, adding that his daughter “was not part of my destiny.”

Her mortal remains were flown to Bhubaneswar on Sunday for the last rites, after a post-mortem was conducted at AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi.

Political reactions

The tragedy has snowballed into a political flashpoint in Odisha, with opposition leaders slamming the government over deteriorating law and order.

Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das questioned the delay in arresting the culprits. “It has been 14 days, but the culprits have not been caught yet… If they don’t arrest the culprits, we will surround the BJP office on August 7,” he said. He also raised doubts over repeated recording of the victim’s statement, calling the process “suspicious.”

Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka said, “When will the state government wake up? The Odisha government is against women.” Party leader Mumtaz Patel added, “Justice delayed is justice denied… The President should put pressure on the Odisha government.”

BJD MP Sasmit Patra demanded strong action, saying, “Unless such perpetrators are brought to justice, no one is safe in Odisha.” Fellow BJD leader Amar Patnaik said the state’s reputation as a peaceful region “has been shattered beyond words.”

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also offered condolences, saying on X that he was “deeply saddened and anguished.”

Government response

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that despite all efforts by the state and a round-the-clock medical team at AIIMS Delhi, the girl could not be saved. “I pray for the eternal peace of the girl’s soul,” he posted on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida termed the incident “unexpected and unfortunate,” while Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo urged political leaders not to politicise the case. “The family is satisfied with the support and stands with the government,” he said.

Police appeal for restraint

Odisha Police maintained that the investigation is in its final stages and claimed there was no evidence of other individuals being involved. In a public statement, police urged restraint, asking people to refrain from making “sensitive comments” during the ongoing investigation.

The case continues to resonate across the state as demands for justice and accountability mount.

- with inputs from IANS and ANI