Molestation victim sets herself ablaze

Unable to bear repeated molestation, a teen set herself ablaze in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad town, about 350 kilometres from here on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old girl, a ninth standard student, suffered 90 per cent burn injuries and is admitted to a hospital in Delhi. Her condition is said to be critical.

Reports say the girl, a resident of Civil Lines locality was harassed by a youth, Danish of the same town for the past few days. Her family members tried to lodge a report with police, but the latter remained apathetical.

Finally, police lodged a complaint after the local press reported the matter but did not take any action against the alleged culprit.

The family alleged that Danish tried to molest the girl again a few days back.

Though police arrested Danish on Tuesday, allegedly exerted pressure on the family and the girl to withdraw the complaint and to settle the matter within themselves.

Apparently feeling humiliated the teen poured kerosene oil over her and set herself ablaze. She suffered extensive burn injuries before the family members could douse the flames.

Inspector general of Moradabad zone Mukul Goes is entrusted with inquiry into the matter, sources here said.

Earlier also many girls have killed themselves following molestation and rape attempt. A few months ago, a girl had set herself ablaze after she was gang raped in Deoria district. She died later at a hospital in Gorakhpur.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had said the government will take suicide bids by molestation and rape victims seriously and will take necessary steps to ensure speedy action in such cases.