Odisha burn case: No one responsible for Puri girl’s burns, says Odisha Police

The incident occurred on July 19 near the girl’s house in the Balanga area.

A 15-year-old girl from Odisha’s Puri district, who suffered critical burn injuries and was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday. While the Odisha Police maintain that no one else was involved in the incident, the girl’s mother has alleged that three unidentified men set her daughter on fire.

The incident occurred on July 19 near the girl’s house in the Balanga area. Following initial treatment in Bhubaneswar, she was airlifted to Delhi for advanced medical care. Her death has sparked widespread concern, especially in light of conflicting claims regarding the circumstances of the tragedy.

In a statement on social media platform X, Odisha Police said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the victim girl's death in the Balanga incident. The investigation has been conducted with utmost sincerity and is nearing completion. Evidence so far indicates that no other person was involved.”

The police, however, have not clarified how the girl caught fire, which remains a key question in the case.

Contrary to the police’s findings, the victim's mother filed an FIR on the day of the incident, claiming that her daughter was abducted by three unknown individuals who doused her with a flammable liquid and set her ablaze.

Following the complaint, senior police officials visited the site. Scientific teams and a dog squad were deployed to collect evidence, and a special investigation team (SIT) was formed to probe the case further.

As the investigation nears its final stage, Odisha Police have urged the public to refrain from making “sensitive comments” amid the tragic developments.