Agra School Girl, Who Was Set on Fire by Unknown Men, Dies

She was put on a ventilator, but she could not make it and died at 1:30 am, in Safdarjung Hospital.

A class 10 girl was set on fire by unknown men in Agra on 18 December. Image used for representational purpose. 

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

A 15-year-old girl succumbed to burn injuries at the Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday, 20 December, two days after she was set ablaze allegedly by unidentified men in Agra, the police said.

On Tuesday, 18 December, the student was waylaid by two unidentified men, who allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire with a lighter, the police said. The incident took place around 1:30 pm on Jagner Road near Lalau village of Akola block, under Malpura police jurisdiction, The Times of India reported.

The girl was rescued by a passerby, who used Dial 100 and took her to SN Medical College Hospital in Agra, but was later referred to the Safdarjang Hospital in New Delhi, The Times of India reported.

Speaking to the newspaper, the girl’s father said:

“My daughter was returning from school on bicycle, when two motor-bike borne youths wearing helmets, poured inflammable liquid on her from behind and set her on fire. She was later pushed into a ditch near the state-highway which connects to Tatpur.”

The girl had suffered 55 percent burn injuries, including facial burns, and her airway was also burnt due to smoke and fumes creating a problem for her to breathe, a doctor at the Safdarjung Hospital said.

Later that night, she was put on a ventilator, but she could not make it and died at 1:30 am, the doctor said.

The police are on a lookout for the accused who are absconding.

(With inputs from PTI)