Woman dies after immolation bid, man held for abetment

Berhampur: A 20-year-old unmarried woman, who tried to self-immolate at her village house in Ganjam district’s Kotinada police station limits last week, succumbed to her burn injuries during treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here on Wednesday night.The woman, a college dropout, doused herself in kerosene on March 28, a day after lodging a rape case against a 21-year old priest of a nearby village. The parents of the victim, who suffered over 60% burn injuries, admitted her to the medical college and hospital the same day. After battling for her life for five days, she died during treatment.The victim purportedly had an affair with the accused since 2022. Though the exact reason of her suicide bid is under police investigation, her parents have alleged that she might have taken the extreme step due to harassment by the man.Damodar Bihari, inspector-in-charge, Kotinada police station, said the accused was arrested on rape charges on March 29, based on the victim’s complaints, a day after the suicide bid. He has been booked on charges of abetment to suicide, as the woman succumbed to her injuries during treatment. A detailed investigation is underway after a fresh case was lodged against the accused, said police.