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In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old girl in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district died after she was set on fire by a stalker, who attacked her in retaliation for refusing his advances. The accused, identified as 21-year-old Raghavendra, suffered 70 per cent burns in the fire he started, according to police.
Police said the accused had been proposing to the victim for more than three years, but the girl turned down his advances every time. She was on her way to her grandparents’ home in Nandyal, but Raghavendra followed her there.
On Monday night, Raghavendra reached the home of the victim’s grandparents and knocked on the door of the room the girl was sleeping in. As she opened the door, he entered and locked the door from the inside, then proceeded to allegedly pour petrol on the victim and set her on fire.
The victim was allegedly gagged by the accused so she was unable to 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.
Raghavendra initially claimed it was an “accident" but later tried to escape, but he was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha V condemned the incident and asked the police to form several teams to investigate the case. The accused is currently receiving treatment.

(with agency inputs)