In a shocking incident, an 11-year-old girl was set ablaze by a relative in Japur, who was apparently enraged with her being 'scantily dressed' and wearing a lipstick, police said on Saturday.
The girl identified as Nazmeen suffered 90 per cent burns and was stated to be in a critical condition, Investigating Officer Shammi Khan said.
Police have arrested Salim alias Azzi (55), who allegedly poured kerosene on the girl and set her afire at Dhanna Das Ki Bagachi in Jaipur on Friday, he said.
Khan said Salim, who runs a grocery shop from his house, took the girl into a room there and asked her younger brother to sit outside. After bolting the room from inside, he poured kerosene on the girl and set her afire.
Engulfed in flames, the girl managed to unbolt the door and ran outside crying for help.
The neighbours came to her rescue and one of them was also injured while trying to put out the flames, he said.
Khan said Salim was a distant relative of the victim's family and the girl addressed him as 'nana' (maternal grand father).
A case of attempt to murder has been registered against Salim, Khan said.
The girl's father alleged in his statement that the accused set her daughter ablaze after she resisted his attempt to molest her.
Khan, however, said the girl had, in her statement, not mentioned anything about Salim trying to molest her.
© 2024 Rediff.com -