Tragedy and Controversy in Odisha: Police Backtrack on Attack Claim as Burn Victim Dies
BHUBANESWAR, India – August 3, 2025: A heartbreaking story out of Odisha: a 15-year-old girl from the Puri district has died from the extensive burn injuries she suffered a few weeks ago. She passed away at AIIMS in New Delhi. Her death, confirmed this past Saturday, has intensified an already heated political argument. Initially, the police said she was attacked by three people, but now they’re saying that’s not what happened. This sudden change in the story has caused a lot of anger and demands for answers from people who don’t agree with the ruling party.
Conflicting Stories Lead to Tragic Outcome
This terrible event happened on July 19 in an area covered by the Balanga police station in Puri. At first, it got a lot of attention across the country. The girl’s mother reported to the police that her daughter was ambushed by three unknown people who poured something flammable on her and lit it. The girl had burns on over 75% of her body. She was first treated at AIIMS in Bhubaneswar and then flown to AIIMS in New Delhi on July 20 for more specialized care.
Even with weeks of intense treatment and several surgeries, she never got better and died on Saturday. Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, and former Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, both expressed their sadness and said the government did everything it could to save her.
Police Statement Contradicts Earlier Claims
Just hours after the girl died, the Odisha Police posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that completely changed the narrative. They said that after their investigation, it seemed no one else was involved. They also asked people not to post sensitive comments.
This is the opposite of what they said in the original police report and what the girl’s family and locals have been saying. The police haven’t explained how the girl was set on fire, which leaves a big hole in their explanation. Some say that the police took her statement several times while she was being treated, including once in front of a judge. In one of those statements, she might have said something different. Some news reports say she admitted to setting herself on fire, but the police haven’t confirmed this.
Political Reactions
The police’s new version of events has set off a political storm in Odisha. Opposition parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress party have quickly criticized the government and the police. BJD members of parliament want the three people they think are responsible to be arrested immediately. The head of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, Bhakta Charan Das, wants a judge to investigate the matter.
This is the second case in recent weeks where a young woman in the state has died from burns. A college student in Balasore recently set herself on fire because of alleged sexual harassment. This has put a lot of pressure on the new BJP government. Opposition parties say they’re not doing enough to keep women safe and want them to improve law and order.
Waiting for the Final Report
The Crime Branch of Odisha Police is now in charge of the investigation and is working on a detailed report. The case’s outcome will mostly depend on this report, which should clarify what happened and resolve the conflicting stories. Security has been increased around the homes of the Chief Minister and his deputies as public anger and political protests increase.
The girl’s father has made an emotional appeal, asking people to stop using his daughter’s death for political purposes. He said she lost her life due to mental depression. This statement, along with the police’s latest comments, makes the situation even more complicated and affects how the public understands this tragedy.
