A 12-year-old girl in Andhra Pradesh is battling for life after she was set on fire allegedly by a stalker who had been harassing her for several months in Kurnool district. Doctors said that the condition of the minor is critical as she suffered third degree burns on 65 to 70% of her body. The accused was later arrested.
The police said that the accused, identified as Saheb, was harassing the minor for months even though she had rejected his advances several times. Tired of the harassment, the girl complained to her parents, who warned the accused to leave her alone.
Irked by this, he poured petrol on her and set her ablaze on Saturday when she stepped out of her house to go to a shop. She was rushed to the Adoni General Hospital and later shifted to the Kurnool Government General Hospital (GGH).
According to media reports, Adoni Circle Inspector M. Murali said that the accused was married and had three children.
A case was booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Section 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at the Kowthalam police station. Police said that further investigation was underway and more details would be revealed soon.
In September last year, a 20-year-old student killed herself in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district after allegedly being harassed by her stalker. The accused in the case reportedly used to stalk her regularly in the village and after her college. On September 11, the accused reportedly asked the woman to marry him as she was returning from college. After she turned down his proposal, the accused allegedly slapped her in the bus to their village.
Following the incident, the victim went to her farm, where she consumed pesticide. She died before being taken to the hospital.