Girl found naked with burn injuries: Police quiz 22 people, yet to make an arrest

LUCKNOW: Three days after a 21-year-old girl was found naked with severe burn injuries beside a highway in Shahjahanpur, police have questioned more than 22 people but are yet to make any arrest.

The girl, a student of Swami Shukdevanand College, of which former BJP union minister Chinmayanand is the chairman, is battling for life at a hospital in Lucknow where she was transferred for better medical care. Her condition, according to hospital sources, remains critical. Superintendent of police (SP) of Shahjahanpur S Anand said, “We are working on the statements given by the girl before a magistrate. Our teams have questioned close to two dozen people. We are still working out the case to arrive at a scientific, evidence-based conclusion before making an arrest.” Reportedly, most of the people who have been questioned studied in the same college with the girl. Police are also tracking mobile phone locations of these individuals on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, the family members of the girl refused to comment on the incident. The girl’s father said on Thursday, “We are focusing only on the health of my daughter. We have faith in the police and believe that they will arrest the people behind the attack.”

According to police sources, a team of Shahjahanpur police, consisting of women personnel, has been asked to stay with the family and try to get details about the incident. “The team is trying to record the statements of the girl and ensure that she is not making the statements under any pressure,” said the SP.

The incident occurred on Monday when the girl who is a resident of Kaant area and is enrolled in BA second year was found with burn injuries.

According to police, the girl’s father dropped her to the college on Monday at around 11 am. At around 6 pm she was found in a semi-burnt state.

Her father informed the police that he waited for the girl outside the college. When she didn’t return after a few hours, he entered the college and began searching for her.

Later, at the hospital the girl didn’t tell the cops anything about the incident. “The girl was conscious at the hospital. When asked about the incident, she said that she had no recollection of it. We have requested the family members to encourage her to help us in the investigation so that those responsible for the attack may be arrested,” said the SP.