A 16-year-old girl was set afire by a youth after she resisted his rape attempt in Jigna village in Shankargarh, 40 kilometres from Allahabad, on Saturday. The victim Seema (name changed) is battling for life at the SRN hospital in Allahabad. The parents of accused Gyanendra Singh were also allegedly involved in setting the girl ablaze after throwing kerosene oil on her.

The girl suffered over 80% burns injuries. Although an FIR was lodged, the cops have not been able to trace Gyanendra so far.

Seema's mother had gone to sell vegetables while her elder sister was at a nearby well to fetch water when the accused entered the house and tried to rape the girl.

Seema cried for help after which the accused, who lives close by, ran to his house and raised a noise to twist the case in his favour. According to Seema, Gyanendra's parents thereafter came to her house and started yelling at her.

One of them then picked up a kerosene can kept in Seema's house, doused her with it and set her ablaze.

The victim told the magistrate, who recorded her statement, that the accused had earlier harassed her and attempted to rape her on Saturday. She also accused Gyanendra as well as his parents of setting her on fire. 

The victim is a high school student while the accused is preparing for engineering entrance examination.

Members of some social organisations held a demonstration at the hospital in protest against the incident.