Thiruvalla/Kochi: A 19-year-old girl, who was badly burned after being set ablaze by a youth a few days ago in Thiruvalla, is still critical. She has reportedly suffered 52 per cent burns after the youth doused her with petrol and sparked a fire. She is still on the ventilator at a hospital in Kochi.
Meanwhile, fake news swirled on social media stating the injured student has died. The police have decided to initiate action against social media users who spread false information regarding the injured student. Investigating officer Thiruvalla circle inspector P R Santhosh has sought legal opinion in this regard, based on which further legal measures will be launched. The police also have launched a surveillance of social media groups where the fake news appeared.
The hospital where she is admitted is also receiving numerous phone calls enquiring about the teen's condition.
A 20-year-old man, who claimed to be her lover, poured petrol on the girl and set her ablaze after she rejected his proposal. The girl, a radiology student, was rushed to a private hospital before being shifted to Ernakulam Medical Centre for further treatment.
The accused was the girl's classmate in Class 12.
A resident of Thiruvalla, the girl has told police that the youth had professed his love for her, but she had spurned his proposal.
The accused has been booked under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code, the police said.
Eyewitnesses told media that the accused was walking alongside the girl and suddenly opened a bottle of petrol and poured it on her before setting her ablaze.
Meanwhile, the court remanded the accused, Ajin Reji Mathew (18), and sent him to Mavelikkara sub-jail. The police had presented him before the Grama Nyayalaya at Pandalam.
