Bhubaneswar, July 20: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Sunday visited Balanga in Puri district to inspect the crime scene where a minor girl was allegedly set ablaze by three miscreants.
Speaking to reporters at the site, DGP Khurania says, "An inhumane incident has happened here. The investigation is underway. As it is a sensitive matter, I have visited the crime scene. A team from the state forensic sciences and AIIMS Bhubaneswar has also visited here..."
He added, “Immediately after receiving the information, local police reached the spot and launched an investigation. Today, two specialised teams — the State Forensic Science Laboratory and a forensic-medicine team from AIIMS Bhubaneswar — conducted a detailed examination and collected crucial physical evidence.”
He said that preliminary information has already been gathered, and further leads are being actively pursued. “The investigation is at a sensitive stage. We are committed to ensuring the culprits are identified and brought to justice. Confirmed findings will be shared with the public in due course,” the DGP assured.
The tragic incident occurred on the morning of July 19, when the minor girl was allegedly set on fire by three attackers. Despite suffering severe burns, she managed to reach a nearby house for help. Locals rescued her and rushed her to the Pipili Community Health Centre. She was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and eventually airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for advanced treatment.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has extended full support to the victim and her family, assuring all necessary medical and financial assistance. He also offered prayers to Lord Jagannath for her speedy recovery.
In a prompt move, Odisha Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT has been tasked with expediting the investigation and apprehending the accused at the earliest. Scientific units have already combed the area, and senior officers are closely monitoring the progress of the probe.
