PhD student plays with matches, sets self ablaze at University of Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A PhD scholar from the University of Hyderabad; depressed over her second unsuccessful attempt at cracking the National Eligibility Test (NET), says she accidentally set herself on fire and received 50 per cent burns on Tuesday night.

According to the police, the student Nitu Das, 25, hailing from Odisha, was sitting alone in her hostel room and burning match sticks thinking about her results. One of the lighted matchsticks came in contact with her cotton dress setting it on fire.

Ms Das had joined the UoH in January.

“Depressed about not being able to qualify for NET for the second time in a row, she was depressed for a week. Late on Tuesday night, Nitu accidentally torched herself by lighting her cotton nightwear with a matchstick,” Gachibowli sub-inspector Ramaiah said.

When she realised that she was on fire, Ms Das rushed towards the common washroom, shouting for help, the sub-inspector said. Hearing her shouts, her hostel mates came to her rescue and helped her douse the fire and rushed her to the University health centre.

From there, she was referred to a private hospital in Gachibowli. The doctors there informed the police and meanwhile she was to be shifted to Osmania General Hospital for better treatment. Her parents, who reside in Odisha, were informed about the incident and have started for the city.

Ms Das gave her statement to the police on Wednesday afternoon, from which suicide as a motive was ruled out. She is able to speak and is undergoing treatment for her burns.