19-Year-Old Jharkhand Woman Burnt Alive By Stalker: 10 Things To Know

A 19-year-old woman from Jharkhand set on fire on August 23 by a man who stalked and harassed her succumbed to her injuries. The accused allegedly poured petrol on her from outside the window of her room when she was asleep and set her on fire.

The class 12 student Ankita Kumari was admitted to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka in critical condition with 90 percent burns. She was referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in Ranchi where she succumbed to her burn injuries.

The police said the accused Shahrukh Hussain had been harassing Kumari for some time and poured petrol through her window and set her on fire. Hussain and the person who supplied the petrol were arrested and will be booked for murder.

Jharkhand Woman Burnt Alive By Stalker: 10 Things To Know

1. On August 23, Ankita Kumari was allegedly set on fire by Shahrukh Hussain after she rejected his advances.
2. The police said Hussain had been harassing Kumari for some time.
3. Dumka Superintendent of police (SP) Ambar Lakra said, “In the early hours of August 23, the accused poured petrol on her through the window and set her on fire. She screamed for help. She saw the accused running.”
4. Lakra added that Kumari named him as her attacker. “We have her dying declaration,” said Lakra.
5. Hussain and Chotu Khan, the person who supplied the petrol were arrested. The police said the case would be applied to a fast-track court.
6. In a statement given to the executive magistrate, Kumari said the accused had called her on her cell phone and pestered her to become his friend 10 days before the attack.
7. Hussain called her again on August 22 and threatened to kill her if she did not talk to him. Kumari told her father about the threat and they planned on speaking with Hussain’s family the next day.
8. In her statement, Kumari said that she woke up after she experienced pain and could smell burning. She saw the accused run away and her parents doused the fire and took her to the hospital.
9. Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta said, “The state government is serious regarding the murder of a girl in Dumka. Stringent action will be taken against perpetrators.”
10. After activists staged a demonstration demanding justice for Ankita Kumari, section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed in Dumka, Jharkhand. Gathering five or more people in one place is prohibited and rallies and demonstrations are not allowed without prior permission.

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