Bhubaneswar: Amid statement of Odisha Police denying involvement of any individuals in the death of a 15-year-old girl who succumbed to burns at AIIMS-Delhi last evening, her father released a video claiming she took her own life due to mental stress and depression.
“We received all possible help and assistance from the state government. My daughter was not part of my destiny. She was under severe mental stress for which she took her life. I request people not to politicise the issue and pray for my daughter’s departed soul,” he said.
Earlier speaking to the media, he said that he did not want to point fingers at anyone. “Everyone prayed for my daughter, irrespective of religion. I am not upset with anyone. I don’t want to blame anyone. I request you to please keep me and my family away from politics… Everything was fine till she was at home with us. I don’t know how this happened,” he said.
The victim’s uncle also expressed gratitude to doctors and the entire staff at the hospital. “Everyone has done their job perfectly. We don’t have a problem with anyone… The father has slipped into depression. He is not in a state to say anything. Seeing him like this pains me….,” he told ANI.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom has descended on the entire village with people mourning her death. Police personnel have been deployed near her house, as the family prepares for her last rites. “She had suffered severe burns earlier and was later taken to Delhi. Her recovery was also progressing. Yesterday morning, she said she wanted to eat watermelon. By afternoon, we were told she had been put on a ventilator and was critical. Then, in the evening, we got the news that she had passed away. The atmosphere at home is very heavy and painful. We are preparing for her last rites…,” a family member told IANS.
POLICE STATEMENT
The incident was being probed as an attack by a group of unidentified youths. It was alleged that the girl, a resident of Bayabar village, was abducted and taken to a secluded spot near the Bhargabi riverbank by three unidentified bike-borne men while on her way to a relative’s place on July 19, doused with kerosene and set her on fire.
The girl’s mother too had lodged a complaint with police on these lines.
However, police said there was no evidence to support her claim. In her later statement before a judicial magistrate, she reportedly admitted to self-immolation.
“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of the victim girl in the Balanga incident. The police have conducted a thorough investigation into this incident. The investigation has reached its final stage. According to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved in this incident. Therefore, we request everyone not to make any sensitive comments related to this in this tragic moment,” a police statement read.
The girl had sustained 75% burns in the incident. She was rescued by a local villager and first shifted to the community health centre at Pipili, from where she was moved to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. As her condition deteriorated, she was airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi and was admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, on July 20. She underwent surgery for the management of deep burns on July 23. However, she remained on oxygen support and her condition continued to be critical.
The case drew widespread attention as it came shortly after another high-profile suicide case in Balasore, where a 20-year-old student of FM College ended her life by self-immolation alleging sexual harassment by a professor.