MP: Minor rape victim tries to immolate self after accused is released

Itarsi: A Dalit rape victim at a village in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi allegedly tried to immolate herself by pouring kerosene, fearing that an accused in the case, who came out on bail recently may kill her, police said on Thursday.

The minor girl suffered 40 per cent burn injuries in the incident yesterday and is being treated at a hospital here, they said, adding her condition is stated to be stable and out of danger now.

She took the extreme step at her residence in Nayagaon, around 15 km from here, out of the fear that the accused would harm her, Itarsi Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Anil Sharma said.

She was raped in February this year following which two accused were arrested, he said.

The main accused in the case is still lodged in jail but one of his accomplices (Anil Yadav) was released on bail nearly two months back and since then the victim is gripped with a fear that he may take revenge or might kill her, Sharma said.

It appears that in a disturbed state of mind yesterday, she poured kerosene to immolate herself and suffered 40 per cent burn injuries, he said.

Soon after the incident yesterday, Yadav was arrested and booked under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he said.

Police and social organisations were helping the victim and her family in all possible manner, the SDOP said.