Odisha Girl with 70–75% burns succumbs in Delhi, CM expresses shock

August 2, 2025

Odisha: A 15-year-old girl from the Balanga area near Puri succumbed this afternoon to catastrophic burn injuries sustained when she was allegedly set ablaze by unidentified assailants on the Bhargavi riverbank. She had been under medical care for more than two weeks at AIIMS New Delhi after emergency treatment in Bhubaneswar.

The incident occurred on the morning of July 19 as the girl—returning from a friend’s house—was found by three men on two motorcycles near the river. They reportedly abducted her, forced her to a secluded spot, poured an inflammable liquid over her, and set her alight. Despite grievous injuries, she escaped and was rescued by villagers who rushed her first to Pipili Community Health Centre and then to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. She was airlifted to Delhi on July 20, where she underwent multiple surgeries and skin-graft procedures; Cadaveric skin had to be used as she suffered an estimated 70–75% burn injury. She was in oxygen support and treated in the Burn and Plastic Surgery ICU until her death.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took to X to express his grief, stating that despite the “round-the-clock endeavours” of government and AIIMS medical teams, her life could not be saved.

15-year-old girl, who was set on fire by miscreants on June 19 in Balanga, Odisha, has died.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi tweets, “I am deeply shocked to hear the news… Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of the specialist medical team at… https://t.co/gysS4hsm8s pic.twitter.com/Tvw0evV4hR

— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Puri Police have formed a special investigation team and have taken the girl’s testimony before a magistrate in Delhi. While she alleged being attacked, police admitted no conclusive forensic evidence had yet emerged, and investigators are simultaneously probing whether the burns were self-inflicted or otherwise.

No suspects have been arrested so far. The case remains under close scrutiny as forensic and circumstantial evidence—such as the recovery of kerosene bottles and a container at the site are analysed before any definitive conclusion is drawn.