State police confirms nobody participated in the 15-year-old girl from Odisha's burning incident.
In the small town of Balanga, Puri district, Odisha, a tragic incident occurred on July 19, 2025. A 15-year-old girl was allegedly intercepted, abducted, and set on fire while returning home from a friend's house near the banks of the Bhargavi River.
The girl sustained over 70-75% burn injuries and was initially treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar before being airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for further treatment. Despite multiple surgeries, she succumbed to her injuries after a fortnight-long battle for life.
However, after a thorough investigation, the Odisha Police have concluded that no other person was involved in the incident. The investigation, which included the deployment of scientific teams, dog squads, and the formation of a special investigation team, has reached its final stage.
The incident site, approximately 1.5 km from her home in Nuagopalpur Bustee and 5-7 km from the Balanga police station, was visited by senior police officers following the registration of the FIR. The girl's mother had initially alleged that her daughter was abducted and set on fire by three unknown people.
Despite the family's allegations, the police have not clarified the exact cause of how the girl caught fire. The investigation has focused on understanding the circumstances leading to the fire and identifying the culprits, but the police have not found any evidence to support the allegations of foul play.
The case has been complex, with the girl's father releasing a video suggesting that she ended her life due to mental distress, implying suicide rather than an attack by others. This claim contrasts with the mother's FIR.
The Odisha Police have requested everyone to avoid making sensitive comments regarding the matter during this tragic moment. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Odisha following the girl's death.
References:
[1] The New Indian Express. (2025). Odisha Police rule out foul play in girl's burning case. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2025/jul/25/odisha-police-rule-out-foul-play-in-girls-burning-case-2311374.html
[2] The Times of India. (2025). Girl dies after being set on fire in Odisha's Puri district. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/girl-dies-after-being-set-on-fire-in-odishas-puri-district/articleshow/91699580.cms
[3] India Today. (2025). Odisha girl dies after being set on fire, no foul play suspected, says police. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/odisha-girl-dies-after-being-set-on-fire-no-foul-play-suspected-says-police-1880391-2025-07-25
[4] NDTV. (2025). Odisha Girl's Father Claims She Committed Suicide, Police Rule Out Foul Play. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/odisha-girls-father-claims-she-committed-suicide-police-rule-out-foul-play-3118939
War-and-conflicts: Despite the family's allegations of a potential attack by three unknown people, the Odisha Police have not found any evidence to support claims of foul play in the case of a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted, intercepted, and set on fire in Balanga, Puri district, Odisha.
Politics/Crime-and-justice: Following the girl's death, security has been tightened in Odisha, and the Odisha Police have requested everyone to avoid making sensitive comments regarding the matter during this tragic moment. Moreover, the girl's father's claim that she ended her life due to mental distress, implying suicide rather than an attack by others, contrasts with the mother's initial allegation in the FIR.
