The 15-year-old girl from Odisha’s Puri district — who sustained 70% burn injuries after being set ablaze by three miscreants — was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi on Sunday for advanced treatment. The teen, who had been fighting for her life in the ICU at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, was flown out in a state-of-the-art air ambulance after doctors deemed her stable enough for transfer.
Officials created a green corridor to speed her journey from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to Biju Patnaik International Airport, allowing the ambulance to reach the airstrip in just 10–12 minutes. A full medical team accompanied her in an advanced life support unit, according to police.
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“The patient’s blood pressure has improved, and her vitals are stable,” said AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Ashutosh Biswas. “She is fit to be shifted to Delhi for more specialized care.”
The horrific crime took place on Saturday when three motorcycle-borne men allegedly kidnapped the girl, dragged her to the banks of the Bhargavi River near Bayabar village in the Balanga area, doused her with an inflammable liquid, and set her on fire. The attackers then fled, leaving her screaming in flames.
Locals rushed to the scene, extinguished the fire, and transported the girl to a local hospital. She was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her injuries.
In a courageous move, the girl — despite being in the ICU — managed to give her statement to police in the presence of a magistrate. Her testimony is expected to be crucial in the investigation.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that the state facilitated the airlift to Delhi, prioritizing the girl's survival and treatment.
The victim’s mother has filed an FIR, and police say they are actively hunting the suspects.
As the country reels from the brutal nature of the assault, outrage is growing, with many demanding swift justice and harsher punishment for crimes against women.
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