Kakinada: Girl, set on fire by youth, dies

Naveen had been stalking Revathi for the last six months

Kakinada: Keerthi Revathi (17), who was allegedly set ablaze by a youth for not accepting his love on December 19 in Pithapuram, died at the government hospital here after struggling for five days.

The death came as a blow to her parents and relatives, who hoped that she would return safely from the hospital. Mukkudupalli Naveen (22), who was harassing her for the last six months, had set her ablaze when she was alone. Police had registered case on Saturday against him under the Nirbhaya Act.

Naveen of Kathulagudem, in Pithapuram mandal, was allegedly stalking the girl. Unable to bear the torture, Revathi’s family shifted to the Venugopala Swamy Temple area in the town. Her marriage was fixed for December 22.

The youth, upon learning about the marriage, tried assault the girl. When she fought back, he set her ablaze with kerosene. She sustained severe burns and was shifted to Pithapuram government hospital where she got first-aid. Later Revathi was shifted to the general hospital. But efforts of doctors to save her failed on Monday