A 15-year-old girl from Balanga in Odisha’s Puri district, who was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified men on July 19, passed away today at AIIMS Delhi, where she had been undergoing treatment for over 70% burn injuries .

The girl was reportedly abducted near the Bhargavi river by three masked men, who tied her hands, gagged her mouth, poured an inflammable liquid, and set her ablaze. She managed to escape, running to a house where residents quickly doused the flames and contacted authorities .

Initially treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, she was airlifted to Delhi on July 20 , where doctors confirmed she endured 75% burns and underwent multiple surgeries including skin grafts. Despite efforts by a multidisciplinary team, she succumbed to her injuries on August 2 .

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep shock and sympathy, praising the relentless medical team and promising justice . The assailants remain at large, and no conclusive leads have emerged even days into the investigation—raising concerns over evidence gaps and eyewitness absence .