14-year-old burnt for Rs 50, succumbs

The only fault8217; of Meena, who lived in a pavement shanty at Reay Road, was that she had lent Rs 50 to the two neighbours a few weeks ago. Last Tuesday, she got into a fight with the couple who refused to return the money. The same night, when Meena was asleep in her hut, the couple poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze.

8220;I still can8217;t understand how my neighbours could have turned so cruel,8221; the 14-year-old victim had told Express Newsline from the hospital bed on July 29. Though JJ doctors were earlier confident Meena would survive the 35 per cent burns, it was later discovered she had suffered deep internalinjuries.

8220;Meena was shifted to the special Burns Ward number 35 on July 30 after it was known the burn injuries were dangerously high at 40 per cent. But unfortunately, we could not save her,8221; a ward doctor said today.

Meanwhile, Ganya8217;s eldest brother Parsuram said: 8220;I don8217;t know who has gained by the senseless murder of Meena.8221;

The accused will be produced in court on Monday.