Girl set herself on fire when questioned about her male friend

A 16-year-old girl set herself on fire in Kerala purportedly after a group of men questioned her male friend on charges of visiting her at the house.

The incident was reported from Kodungalllor in Thrissur district on Friday. The victim was identified as K G Ashwathi, daughter of farm worker K Gopi, of Kodungalloor. Parents were away when Ashwathi took the extreme step, said police.

According to police, the girl was preparing for exam at her house when her 18-year-old friend, came to the house. A “vigilante” in the vicinity had noticed the youth, going into the house. He immediately rushed to the house of the girl’s grandparents, a few houses away from there. He came back with her relatives. A few local people also accompanied.

Police said the girl was questioned about the suspected presence of her friend. She did not agree with the allegation that someone was inside. Since she was alone in the house at the day time, the relatives asked her to lock the house and stay with them until parents return. She obliged.

But the vigilante did not go. He hanged around the locked house. Sometimes later, he saw the girl’s friend coming out of the house, after unbolting the backdoor. The youth was waylaid by the moral cop and a few others also joined him.

At the same time, Ashwathi wanted to take her school books from her house. On reaching the courtyard of her house, she saw her friend being questioned by several persons. She went inside and set her on fire, after pouring kerosene.

Police said at present, a case for unnatural death has been registered.

Source:: Indian Express