Teen Girl Set on Fire in Odisha; Victim Under Treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

NDC DESK

Puri, Odisha – July 19, 2025:
In a horrifying act of violence, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and set ablaze by unidentified individuals in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday morning. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Balanga police station while the girl was on her way to her uncle’s residence.

According to initial reports, the girl was intercepted by three individuals and forcibly taken to the banks of the Bhargavi River. There, she was reportedly assaulted and doused with a flammable substance before being set on fire.

The victim’s mother has lodged a formal police complaint, alleging an attempted murder. She stated that her daughter, engulfed in flames, managed to escape her attackers and ran for help while screaming in pain. A local resident who witnessed the scene rushed to her aid and extinguished the fire. The assailants fled the area as more villagers arrived.

The girl, who sustained severe burn injuries, was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition. Doctors confirmed she suffered second- and third-degree burns covering 70 to 75% of her body.

“She is mentally and physically traumatised. Our priority is to stabilise her respiratory and circulatory systems. She is on oxygen support but not on a ventilator. We will closely monitor her cardiac and respiratory condition over the next 48 hours,” said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Puri SP (in-charge) Pinak Mishra stated that the victim was conscious and able to speak briefly following her rescue but could not identify her attackers. Authorities have launched a manhunt and detained several individuals for questioning.

Preliminary investigations point to a premeditated attack. Police recovered a half-empty kerosene bottle, a matchbox, and the victim’s shoe from the scene. A forensic team has collected samples for further analysis.

Senior police officials, including Inspector General (Central Range) Praveen Kumar, visited the site to assess the situation. The victim’s family has expressed shock, saying they have no known disputes or enmities that could have led to such an attack.

Police continue to investigate the motive and identity of the perpetrators.