The 17-year-old girl died Friday after the hideout where she was staying with her lover for the last few days was set on fire.

"It appears to be a case of honour killing. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was the handiwork of the girl's family. The place was torched while the girl was alone," police inspector R.K. Singh told reporters Saturday.

The girl was rushed to a hospital, but died during the treatment. "The victim's father and other family members who have been detained, are giving contradictory statements," added Singh.

According to the police, the girl, a resident of Tilaktanda village, had eloped March 23 with a youth in  the same area with whom she was having an affair for the past several months. "The girl's family members, particularly father, was strictly against her love affair with the youth," said a police official.