Bhubaneswar: A 15-year-old student from Balanga, Puri district, who sustained horrific burn injuries exceeding 70% of her body after being allegedly set on fire by miscreants, has been airlifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for advanced critical care. The gruesome incident, which occurred on Saturday, July 19, has sparked widespread outrage and a rigorous police investigation.
The victim, a Class 8 dropout, was reportedly on her way to a friend’s house in Bayabar village, under the Balanga police station limits, when she was intercepted by three motorcycle-borne youths. According to initial police reports and the victim’s statement, recorded in the presence of a magistrate at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the assailants forcibly took her to the banks of the Bhargavi River, doused her with an inflammable substance, and set her ablaze before fleeing the scene.
Local residents, hearing her cries for help, rushed to her aid, extinguished the flames, and immediately transported her to Pipili Community Health Centre, from where she was subsequently shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. At AIIMS Bhubaneswar, she received initial treatment for her severe second and third-degree burns.
Given the critical nature of her injuries – with 70-75% total body surface area burns – and the need for highly specialized care, the medical team at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, in consultation with the Odisha government, decided to airlift her to AIIMS Delhi. The Delhi institution is equipped with an advanced Plastic, Reconstructive & Burns Surgery Department, capable of handling such complex cases.
“The patient is stable and in a state where she can be shifted by airlifting,” stated Dr. Asutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, earlier today. “This has been communicated to AIIMS Delhi. She will be taken on a special flight.” A specialized medical team from AIIMS coordinated the air evacuation, with a family member accompanying the patient.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders across the state, with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and former CM Naveen Patnaik expressing their shock and demanding swift justice for the victim. The Odisha government has assured that all expenses for her treatment will be borne by the state.
Puri Police have launched a rigorous investigation into the incident. The victim’s mother has lodged an FIR at Balanga police station, alleging an attempt to murder her daughter. Preliminary findings suggest the attack was premeditated, as police recovered a half-filled bottle of kerosene, a matchbox, and the victim’s shoe from the scene. A forensic team has collected samples for analysis, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators, with some unidentified individuals reportedly detained for questioning.
The patient’s condition remains critical, and she is currently on oxygen support. Doctors emphasize that the next 48 hours are crucial for her recovery. The heinous nature of the crime has reignited concerns about the safety of women and girls in the state, prompting calls for stricter law enforcement and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.