Odisha student ‘sets herself on fire’ over ‘blackmail by ex-boyfriend’, family claims police didn’t act on complaint

Police said the Kendrapara incident took place when the student, who was in her final year of graduation, was alone at home. “As per the initial statement of the victim’s father, they entered the house by breaking the door and found their daughter dead. We will formally record his statement and begin the investigation as per his allegations. I will personally inquire into the incident,” said Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria.

The student’s father alleged that she had been facing harassment and threats from a man whom she had been in a relationship with. “We reported the matter to the police six months ago. The police didn’t register a case and took no action on our complaint. They asked to block the man’s mobile number if he was harassing,” he claimed.

He further claimed the man had been threatening to leak photographs of the woman and had also given her death threats for several months.

A team has been deployed to collect forensic evidence from the spot, the police said.

Asked about the allegation of inaction despite the victim approaching local police, SP Kataria said the department would also examine that aspect and “take action accordingly”.