Bhubaneswar: A 15-year-old girl from the Balanga area of Odisha’s Puri district, who sustained 75 per cent burn injuries after being allegedly set on fire by three unidentified youths, remains in critical condition at AIIMS Delhi. The state police have launched an intensive investigation into what is being described as a deeply disturbing and heinous crime.
Officials reported that the minor was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to AIIMS Delhi on Sunday afternoon for advanced medical treatment. She arrived at the premier healthcare facility in the national capital around 4:20 PM and was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Burns and Plastic Surgery department.
In a statement, AIIMS Delhi confirmed that the victim’s condition is critical. “She is on oxygen support, and a team of senior doctors is closely monitoring her. Every necessary step is being taken to stabilise her condition,” the hospital added.
Crime Branch Investigation Intensifies
Meanwhile, Odisha’s Crime Branch has taken over the investigation and is moving swiftly to identify and arrest those involved in the brutal assault. Preliminary findings by local police revealed that the girl was intercepted by three motorcycle-borne assailants near Bayabar village, within the Balanga police station limits. The attackers allegedly dragged her to the banks of the Bhargavi River, poured a flammable substance on her, and set her ablaze before fleeing the scene.
The girl then went to a villager’s home and requested help. The villager assisted her by extinguishing the flames and calling for an ambulance and police. She was taken to the nearest government hospital in Pipili. Due to the severity of her burns, she was later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and subsequently airlifted to Delhi for specialised care.
A statement was recorded from the victim on Saturday in the ICU, in the presence of a magistrate. According to officials, her testimony is crucial for identifying the perpetrators and advancing the investigation. “We are in the process of questioning several suspects, and some individuals have been taken in for interrogation,” a senior police officer said.
Family in Distress, Father Appeals for Justice
The girl’s father, visibly shaken by the incident, expressed that the family has no idea who was behind the attack. “I have spoken to my daughter, but we haven’t discussed the incident in detail due to her fragile condition. We don’t know who committed this crime. Right now, we just want her to recover,” he said.
He added that the government should ensure justice and take strict action against the culprits. “Her condition is slightly stable now. She is able to speak a little and is receiving treatment. I hope she recovers soon,” he said, adding that he is too distressed to engage with anyone else at the moment.
The victim, a school dropout from Class 8, comes from a modest background. Her father works at a local motor garage, and her mother has lodged a formal complaint at the Balanga police station.
High-Level Investigation Underway: DGP
Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP), Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, visited the crime scene on Sunday and confirmed that a high-level investigation is currently underway. “As soon as we received information, our teams arrived at the location. Today, experts from the State Forensic Science Laboratory and AIIMS Bhubaneswar conducted a thorough forensic examination and collected vital physical evidence,” he informed reporters.
Khurania stressed that the investigation is at a sensitive stage but assured the public that progress is being made. “We have gathered some critical information and are pursuing multiple leads. Once the findings are verified, we will share them with the public. The culprits will not be spared,” he asserted.
CM and Union Minister Express Concern, Assure Support
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep anguish over the incident and assured that the state government is committed to providing the best possible medical care to the survivor. “The girl has been airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for advanced treatment, and all necessary facilities will be provided by the state. I pray to Lord Jagannath for her speedy recovery,” the Chief Minister stated in a social media post.
ପୁରୀ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ବଳଙ୍ଗା ଠାରେ ଘଟିଯାଇଥିବା ଅଘଟଣ ପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ମର୍ମାହତ । ପୀଡିତାଙ୍କର ସର୍ବୋତ୍ତମ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦିଲ୍ଲୀ ଏମ୍ସକୁ ଏୟାରଲିଫ୍ଟ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏଥିପାଇଁ ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ସମସ୍ତ ଆବଶ୍ୟକୀୟ ସୁବିଧା ସୁନିଶ୍ଚିତ କରିବେ । ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ଭାବେ ମୁଁ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଝିଅଟିର ତ୍ୱରିତ ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ…
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 20, 2025
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also visited the victim and her family at AIIMS Delhi. He offered words of support and held discussions with AIIMS authorities regarding the girl’s medical treatment. “This shocking incident has deeply disturbed me. I pray to Lord Jagannath for her swift recovery. All assistance will be provided to the family during this difficult time,” Pradhan remarked.
