The body of a 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly set on fire by three miscreants in Puri district of Odisha and succumbed to her burn injuries at AIIMS Delhi, was brought to her home state.
The minor’s body was brought to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on a service flight on Sunday night and later taken to her native place at Balanga in Puri.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, who were present at the airport, paid floral tribute to the girl. Former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan, BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma, BJP leader Samir Ranjan Dash and many others also paid tribute to the deceased at the airport.
#WATCH | Puri, Odisha | The mortal remains of a 15-year-old girl who was set on fire by miscreants on July 19 in Balanga, reach her native place in Balanga. pic.twitter.com/mTSVuaBIc6
— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2025
The girl succumbed to her burn injuries on Saturday after a 14-day battle for life, and the post-mortem examination was conducted on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties in Odisha rejected the police’s claim that it was a case of suicide and no one was involved in the incident. Both the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) alleged that the government had failed to carry out a proper investigation.
“The police have floated a new theory after the girl’s death - that no one else was involved. This narrative is completely unacceptable to the public. It appears the police are trying to shield the real culprits and protect their political masters,” the BJD said.
#WATCH | Puri, Odisha | On the death of a 15-year-old girl who was set on fire by miscreants on June 19 in Balanga, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia says, "...This is very sad...The police have not been able to arrest those behind this incident. The Odisha government has completely… pic.twitter.com/1lTBVOMzzH
— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2025
BJD leader Pramila Mallick said the police failed to make any arrests even two weeks after the incident. “Since the incident occurred in the constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, there is growing public suspicion that some of her close associates and BJP workers may be involved. Yet, the police have taken no concrete steps to bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.
The Congress, too, targeted the state government and even demanded the resignation of Parida. “The victim had given her statement four times and was mentally sound. As she was beginning to recover, her sudden and unexplained death has raised disturbing questions in the minds of people across the State,” said party spokesperson Sonali Sahu.
Initial reports had suggested that the girl was abducted and set on fire by three miscreants. The incident, which took place on July 19, sparked outrage as it came days after another girl self-immolated on a college campus in Balasore, alleging inaction on her complaint.
Meanwhile, corroborating the police version, the Puri girl’s father on Sunday released a video saying her daughter ended her life due to mental distress.
“All I want to say is that the Odisha government has done a lot for me and my family. I humbly request that everyone please do not politicise this tragedy. Instead, pray for her soul,” he said.
