New Delhi:
A 16-year-old girl from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, who had set herself on fire after she was allegedly molested by her friend, has died at a hospital in Delhi.
According to the girl's family, the accused sexually harassed the girl on Monday after she refused to watch a film with him. Two days later, she set herself on fire.
According to reports, the accused stopped the Class 9 student while she was returning home from school and forced her to sit on her motorcycle. When she refused, he slapped her. The girl's uniform was torn in the scuffle.
Her family claims she took the extreme step after she was threatened by her tormentor and two of his friends. They say, what added to the girl's decision to end her life was that the local edition of a national newspaper, while reporting the story, published the girl's picture on the front page.
"They pulled my daughters hair, tore her clothes from back and threatened to throw acid on her face if she refused to go with them. Next day, the news came in the paper and the girl threw petrol on herself," said her mother.
The girl suffered 85% burns injuries and was rushed to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. She died there this morning after battling for her life for three days.
The main accused and one of his friends have been arrested by the police. Both are reportedly juveniles. A magisterial inquiry has now been ordered.