Tripura youngster sets minor afire for rejecting advances

The girl, who was burnt alive at her home, suffered 90% burns in the attack

A youngster allegedly set a 17-year-old girl on fire for rejecting his advances in Gomati district, Tripura, on Monday evening. Pinki Debnath, who suffered 90% burns in the incident, was admitted to Agartala’s GBP Hospital in a critical state.

Police, who arrested the accused from his house later that night, will produce him in court on Tuesday.

Sources said that the youngster, Rahul Das, had professed his love for Debnath recently. However, when the girl asked him to stop disturbing her, Das became furious and decided to kill her.

On the day of the incident, Das came to her house and tried asking her out again. When Debnath reiterated her refusal, he poured kerosene on her and set her afire.

Hearing her cries, neighbours rushed Debnath to the Gomati district hospital – from where she was referred to Agartala.

Das was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Debnath’s father at the Udaipur women’s police station.