MUZAFFARPUR/PATNA: A 22-year-old student is battling for her life after being set on fire allegedly by her tormentor following a molestation bid at her house under Ahiyapur police station area in Muzaffarpur on Saturday night. The victim’s mother accused the Ahiyapur police station officers of not entertaining her complaints against the accused for harassing the victim since 2017.
The victim is undergoing treatment in the ICU of Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) at Muzaffarpur.
SKMCH superintendent Dr Sunil Kumar Shahi said on Monday the victim had 95% burn injuries and a dedicated team of doctors comprising a surgeon, anaesthetic and other paramedical staff was attending to her round the clock. “The chances of her survival are bleak. Besides, her skull and face, all parts of the body have received severe burn injuries. We have suggested the family to get her admitted to the PMCH for better treatment,” Dr Shahi told this newspaper over phone.
IG (Muzaffarpur range) Ganesh Kumar said the victim’s statement was recorded before a woman magistrate on Monday. She accused her neighbour Raja Rai of setting her ablaze after drenching her with kerosene when she was going to the rooftop of her house around 6pm on Saturday. He said the accused was arrested on Sunday night and sent to jail on Monday. The IG also said he would look into the allegations of the victim’s mother.
“I have asked the SSP of Muzaffarpur to verify whether any complaint was earlier lodged by the girl’s family. Strong disciplinary action will be initiated if any lapses were found against the police officials in question,” the IG said.
The victim remained unattended for almost more than 12 hours at a private nursing home in the town where the accused had admitted her to prove his innocence. The victim’s mother, an auxiliary nursing midwife at a primary health centre at Katra in Muzaffarpur, was on duty when she received information around 8pm. But she couldn’t reach Muzaffarpur as no mode of transportation was available and she also apprehended trouble at night. The hapless mother shifted her to the SKMCH on Sunday.
Muzaffarpur DSP (Town) Ram Naresh Paswan, however, tried to defend the accused, who is the son of a leading property dealer of Muzaffarpur. “The accused, who also suffered burn injuries in his hands, claims to have been in close relationship with the girl for the last three years. Some differences between the two led to Saturday’s incident,” Paswan told this newspaper. Police sources said the accused’s father had criminal antecedents and enjoyed the blessing of some police officers in Muzaffarpur.
The girl’s mother alleged that her daughter first stopped attending classes in her college and then private coaching institute soon after Raja started harassing her. Even during Chhath, he had entered the house and tried to molest her. “We preferred to keep quiet due to social stigma attached to the incident,” she told senior police officers. “I have been shuttling between Ahiyapur police station and the SSP office for the last three years for justice, but nothing happened. Ahiyapur SHO had suggested me to reach a compromise,” she told the interrogators.
SSP of Muzaffarpur Jayant Kant, however, said that the case would be listed for speedy trial. “Justice will be delivered to the victim, come what may,” he said.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)