Puri girl set on fire: Victim still critical, AIIMS Bhubaneswar forms 14-member Committee for treatment

The 16-year-old girl from Bayabar in Puri district, who was allegedly set on fire by unidentified assailants on Saturday, remains in critical condition at AIIMS Bhubaneswar with deep burns covering 70 to 75 percent of her body.

Hospital authorities on Sunday confirmed that she is being treated in the Burn ICU under oxygen support and is being closely monitored by a 14-member medical team.

The AIIMS Bhubaneswar officials said the victim is not on a ventilator but remains under intensive care. 

“She is critical, but resuscitation is ongoing. Her burns are deep and spread across both limbs, the back of her limbs, and her torso. We are in constant touch with AIIMS Delhi, and depending on her condition, the option of airlifting her is being considered,” said Dr Sanjay Giri, Head of the Burn Unit at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Dr Giri also stated that the girl remains in a responsive state and has completed legal formalities. However, her burn injuries are deep and hence, fluid treatment is ongoing.

Brutal Attack In Broad Daylight

The attack occurred on the morning of July 19 when the girl was reportedly on her way to visit a friend. She was intercepted by three unidentified men near the Bhargavi River, barely 1.5 kilometres from the Balanga police station, and allegedly set on fire.

Hearing her screams, local residents rushed to rescue her and doused the flames before taking her to a nearby health facility. She was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s Trauma Centre for specialised burn care on government orders.

Investigation And Political Fallout

Despite the brutality and proximity of the incident to a police station, no arrests have been made so far. Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra confirmed that a special team has been formed and that the investigation is being monitored at the state level.

Security Tightened Around AIIMS Amid Protests

As political tensions rose, Bhubaneswar’s Commissionerate Police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Saturday night, declaring restricted zones around the hospital.

Opposition party workers reportedly engaged in slogan exchanges near the AIIMS premises, prompting authorities to deploy three platoons of forces to prevent further unrest.