Odisha burn victim's death: Villagers gripped by fear even as father claims suicide; police rule out foul play

Following the death of the 15-year-old girl from Odisha’s Puri district while undergoing treatment in AIIMS Delhi, the girl’s father spoke to the media, claiming that his daughter had died by suicide owing to mental distress. He thanked the government for its support and appealed to the public for restraint.

"I want to say that the government has done whatever possible for my daughter. My daughter is no more. My daughter took her life as she was mentally under pressure. Thus, I request everyone not to politicise the matter and pray for her soul,” he said.

The victim’s brother described the extent of their grief to reporters after his sister succumbed to her injuries. “She was a full-of-life 15-year-old girl.” Describing her 14-day-long struggle in the hospital, he said that they had held on to hope that she would recover in good time and return home. “Yesterday morning we were told she is talking and was fine. We don't know what happened in the afternoon, she was under a lot of discomfort and was put on ventilator. By the evening, we had lost her...", he said.

Police deny third party involvement, questions remain

The Odisha police have stated that there was no third party involved in the incident, denying any foul play.

The police said they had recorded the girl’s statement three times over the past two weeks and asserted that the inquiry had been conducted sincerely.

In an official update shared on X on Sunday, the police confirmed that the investigation is nearing completion and that all available evidence points to the absence of third-party involvement.

"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," the statement read.

However, questions remain. The girl’s mother had earlier filed an FIR at Balanga police station, alleging that three unknown men had abducted her daughter, taken her to the Bhargavi riverbank, poured a flammable substance over her, and set her on fire. Despite this, police have not yet explained how the girl caught fire.

Officials have urged the public not to make sensitive remarks during what they described as a tragic and delicate time.

As preparations for the girl’s last rites continued in Balanga, police presence was heightened in the state capital. Roads near Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s residence were sealed, and additional security forces were deployed near the homes of several ministers, amid rising public concern and unrest.

Postmortem due in Delhi, villagers fear to step out

An uneasy calm settled over Bayabar village in Odisha’s Puri district on Sunday, as confusion and grief gripped the community.

Outside the girl’s home, located within the Balanga police station limits, police personnel stood guard. It is believed that most of her immediate family members have travelled to Delhi, where the post-mortem examination is to be conducted. Her mother and aunt, who had been present at the family’s home in Nuagopalpur bustee, have reportedly been missing since Saturday, according to a neighbour. “Everyone is stunned. There are no words after what happened,” the neighbour added.

A few members of the community were seen preparing a burial site on the outskirts of the village, in line with the family’s traditional customs. "We are keeping a watch on the village and the movement of the people. Everything is cool and peaceful. People are not coming out of their houses," said a police officer overseeing the scene.

Dukhishyam Senapati, the villager who was the first to respond when the girl cried for help on the morning of 19 July, remained silent, keeping his home locked and declining to speak to anyone, including reporters.

The teenager had sustained burns covering over 70 per cent of her body and was initially admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar before being airlifted to AIIMS Delhi. She succumbed to her injuries on Saturday evening.