Jilted youth sets girl & self ablaze in Visakhapatnam

In an atrocious incident involving youth in Visakhapatnam, a college-going student set his girlfriend, and himself, ablaze after the girl refused his love proposal. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered regarding this incident that occurred at Raghavendra Lodge. The two were immediately rushed to King George Hospital (KGH).

According to the details provided in the FIR, the boy has been identified as Harshavardhan from Bhupalpally, Telangana. The girl is from Visakhapatnam and her name has not been mentioned due to privacy purposes. Both are 21-years of age and were classmates in Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab. 

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, both have been residing in their respective hometowns. Previous to this incident, the two met at the Raghavendra Lodge on 7 September, 2021. 

As per the preliminary information, on 12 November, 2021, the accused (boy) boarded the lodge at 8:10 am. The girl visited him the next day during the early hours on 13 November, 2021. On the same day at 4:15 pm, both were found in flames, and were shifted immediately to the KGH Hospital in Vizag. 

The girl suffered 60 percent burns (2nd degree, deep burn, with inhalation component which may lead to oedema formation in lungs). She has been shifted to the burn ward of KGH. The boy suffered 65 percent burn injuries. (2nd degree, superficial burns) 

The case is being investigated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), DISHA Police Station, Visakhapatnam. 

As per the statement of the girl, she was in a casual friendly relationship with the boy. The boy had been insisting on a love proposal, which she has been denying. On this, he poured petrol on her and himself, and set ablaze with a lighter. They opened the door, came out and started running. As per the statement of the boy, the girl was in a relationship with him in the past. But later, due to unknown reasons, she was not agreeing to be in a relationship with him anymore. 

At the time of the press release, both of them were alive and stable. The Crime Laboratory Evidence System (CLUES) team had visited the scene of the crime and collected the required evidence. In the statement, the police officials informed that all efforts are being made to bring the oppressors to justice in the youth ablaze case in Visakhapatnam.