Schoolgirl Set On Fire By Stalker Dies: On 23 August, a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Jharkhand’s Dumka told her father about a young man who was harassing her and had fallen asleep. A few hours later, she awoke to a sharp pain in her back and a burning smell.
The class 12 student realized to her horror that her own body was on fire.
She was set on fire by her alleged stalker Shahrukh Hussain. He died on Sunday.
Shahrukh Hussain was seen in the video smiling after he was arrested by the police.
The girl named him in her dying statement to the magistrate.
He called her on his mobile about 10 days ago, berated her to be his friend, he said, and attacked her when she rejected his advances.
After this, he called her again at around 8 pm on Monday night and threatened to kill her if she did not talk.
“I informed my father about the threat, after which he assured me that he would talk to the man’s family on Tuesday. After having dinner, we went to sleep. I was sleeping in another room Tuesday morning , I felt a sensation. I had a pain in my back and I could smell something burning. When I opened my eyes I found him running. I screamed in pain and went to my father’s room. The parents put out the fire and took me to the hospital,” she said.
Her entire body was burnt except for her face, she said, as she struggled to speak.
He also named another person, Chhotu Khan, whom the police is interrogating in custodial.
Large gatherings have been banned after massive protests over his death in Dumka.
The matter has become political as the victim and the accused belong to different communities. The opposition BJP has criticized the chief minister for “neglecting” women’s safety.
Facing mounting criticism, the state has said that the matter will be resolved expeditiously. Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced that a top police (at the level of Additional Director General of Police) would oversee the matter; He also announced financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim’s family.
Police said the situation is normal and under control.
Dumka superintendent said, “The accused Shahrukh has been arrested. We will apply for a fast trial in a fast track court. People are cooperating with us. We appeal to the people to maintain peace. The situation is under control. And Section 144 has been imposed.” Police Amber Lakra said.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has demanded the harshest punishment to the accused.
“Such people should not be forgiven, they should be given the harshest punishment. Law should be brought to strengthen the existing laws for such incidents. A lot of bad deeds are being witnessed in the society. This incident is heart-wrenching. And the law is taking its course. The accused has been arrested. We are trying to get him punished at the earliest.”
After the opposition BJP criticized Mr Soren, saying that “thousands” of crimes against women had happened in the state, he became chief minister.