‘No one involved,’ claims Odisha police in shocking twist in Puri Balanga minor burn case

In a shocking twist in the Puri Balanga burn case, soon after the minor’s death while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi, Odisha Police claimed that there is no evidence indicating the involvement of any other individual in the incident.

In an official statement on X, Odisha Police conveyed, “We are deeply saddened by the demise of the girl involved in the Balanga incident. The investigation into the matter has been conducted with utmost sincerity and is now in its final stage.”

The statement further clarified that based on the investigation carried out so far, no evidence has been found indicating the involvement of any other individual in the incident.

“We humbly request everyone to maintain sensitivity and refrain from sharing or reacting to any unconfirmed claims while the case proceeds through its final legal steps,” the statement added.

ବଳଙ୍ଗା ଘଟଣାରେ ପୀଡିତା ଝିଅଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ଆମେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ । ଏହି ଘଟଣାରେ ପୋଲିସ ପକ୍ଷରୁ ତଦନ୍ତ ନିଷ୍ଠାର ସହ କରାଯାଇଛି। ତଦନ୍ତ ଶେଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ସାରିଛି। ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ହୋଇଥିବା ତଦନ୍ତ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପୃକ୍ତି ନ ଥିବା ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇଛି। ଏଣୁ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ ଯେ,ଏହି…

— Odisha Police (@odisha_police) August 2, 2025

The 16-year-old burn victim from Balanga in Puri district of Odisha, who was battling for her life after sustaining critical injuries after being allegedly set on fire, passed away at AIIMS Delhi on Saturday.

The victim had suffered over 75% burn injuries and was on ventilator support for several days.

The minor girl was reportedly attacked on July 19 near Bayabar village in Balanga when unidentified assailants poured a flammable substance on her and set her on fire in broad daylight. She was initially admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar before being airlifted to AIIMS Delhi on July 20 for advanced treatment.

Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and receiving intensive critical care, her condition remained precarious. Hospital sources confirmed her death while undergoing treatment.

The incident sparked outrage across Odisha, with political leaders, civil society groups, and women’s organizations demanding swift justice for the victim.