Maharashtra woman lecturer set on fire by stalker dies

The 25-year-old woman lecturer, who was set on fire last week by a stalker in Wardha district, Maharashtra, died at a hospital in Nagpur on Monday (February 10) morning.

Confirming the death, Hinganghat’s police inspector Satyaveer Bandiwar said, “Doctors at the hospital declared her dead at 6.55 am today.” Heavy security was deployed in Hinganghat to avoid any law and order problem following her death, he said.

The incident took place on February 3 at around 7:30 am, when she was set afire allegedly by one Vikesh Nagrale (27) while the woman was heading to her college.

The man threw petrol on the woman and set her on fire. The victim was taken to the hospital by the locals present at the site and later, shifted her to another hospital.

Ankita Pisudde, a resident of Hinganghat town in Wardha, was critical after sustaining 40 per cent burns. She was undergoing treatment at the Orange City Hospital & Research Centre in Nagpur, located around 840 km from here.

Several locals, mostly women and college students, took out a march in Wardha city last Thursday, demanding death penalty for the accused. The state government has appointed well-known lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor in the case.

According to the victims relatives, Nagrale had been harassing her for quite some time. He was arrested within hours of the incident and booked under relevant sections. Nagrale and the woman were friends till two years ago when she severed ties with him due to his “irrational behaviour”, the police earlier said.

He was charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means).

(With inputs from agencies)