Minor girl in MP set on fire for resisting rape attempt, one held

The girl suffered over 60% burns injuries. In her statement to magistrate, the girl told that Ahirwar tried to rape her and when he failed in doing so, he doused her with kerosene and set her afire.

A minor girl was allegedly set afire by a man when she resisted his attempt to rape her. The girl is battling for life in Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal with about 60% burns.

The incident took place at Khejartal village in Ashok Nagar district, about 270 kilometers north of Bhopal, on Saturday evening.

According to police, the 16-year-old victim had gone to answer the nature's call outside village when the accused Chandrabhan Ahirwar, 21, made an attempt to rape her. The girl screamed for help and managed to escape from the accused’ clutches to run home.

However, livid at the girl’s resistance, the accused chased the girl home where there was no other family members at that time. He then allegedly poured kerosene on her and set her afire. On hearing the screams of the girl the neighbours rushed to the house. The victim was rushed to the district hospital from where she was referred to Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal.

"The girl suffered over 60% burns injuries. In her statement to magistrate, the girl told that Ahirwar tried to rape her and when he failed in doing so, he doused her with kerosene and set her afire," said Santosh Singh Gour, superintendent of police, Ashok Nagar.

Police arrested Ahirwar on Sunday afternoon. He was booked under the charges of sexual harassment, attempt to murder of the girl and Protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) Act.