Berhampur: A 20-year-old woman, who allegedly attempted self-immolation in Odisha’s Ganjam district a day after filing a rape complaint, succumbed to her burn injuries while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here on Thursday.
According to sources, the deceased, a resident of Bhetanai village under Kotinada police limits, had suffered around 50 per cent burn injuries after allegedly pouring kerosene and setting herself on fire behind her house on March 28. She was rescued and admitted to Sub-divisional hospital at Aska with burn injuries on her face and neck. Due to the severity of her condition, she was later shifted to MKCG hospital. She has succumbed after five days of treatment.
According to family members, the young woman took the extreme step following alleged sexual and mental harassment by two youths. They claimed the accused sexually abused her and threatened to make compromising content viral on social media, which reportedly pushed her to despair.
On March 27, the woman lodged a rape complaint against a man with whom she had been in a relationship since 2022, when she was minor. Her formal statement was scheduled to be recorded on the day of the incident.
Meanwhile, police have arrested one of the accused while the other is absconding.
