Raghavendra had been pursuing the victim for three years, but she refused
Hyderabad:
In Andhra Pradesh's Nandyala district, a 17-year-old died after a 21-year-old set her on fire because she rejected his advances. The suspect, Raghavendra, suffered 70 percent burns in the fire he started, news agency PTI reported. The police took him into custody.
According to police, Raghavendra had been propositioning the victim for over three years, but she rejected his advances. The family, who live in Kakinada district, sent her to her grandparents' house in Nandyala. But Raghavendra pursued her there.
Late on Monday evening, Raghavendra reached the house of the victim's grandparents and knocked on the door of the room where the girl was sleeping. The moment she opened the door, he went inside and locked the door from the inside. He then allegedly poured gasoline on her and set her on fire. Raghavendra allegedly gagged her so she couldn't scream for help.
“She was staying with her grandparents in Nandikotkuru. Around 4 am, there was some commotion and he (Raghavendra) came out with severe burns. By then, the girl was completely burnt,” a police officer told news agency PTI. Initially, Raghavendra claimed it was an “accident”. Later he tried to escape, but local residents caught him and handed him over to the police. He is now being treated for severe burns.
Forensic teams visited the site and collected samples. Police said they are investigating all aspects of the shocking incident. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha V has asked the police to form multiple teams to investigate the case. She also spoke to Nandyal police chief Adhiraj Singh Rana over phone and took stock of the investigation so far.
