Nagpur: Woman Lecturer Set On Fire By Stalker Dies

25-year-old woman lecturer who was set ablaze in Maharashtra’s Wardha district died, police official said on Monday. The victim, a resident of Hinganghat in Wardha district underwent treatment at the Orange City Hospital & Research Centre in Nagpur.

She was allegedly set ablaze by one Vikesh Nagrale (27) on February 3 when she was on the way to her college. She suffered 40 per cent burns.

Earlier, in a medical bulletin issued, the hospital had said, “Her condition remains critical. Her vitals are being maintained with oxygen supply. She is responding to commands. Her condition does remain critical.”

Specialists treating the woman were keeping an eye on anticipated complications like infection and respiratory deterioration, the hospital said. The woman underwent two sessions of debridement, dressings and upper limbs multiple fasciotomy, it added.

Debridement is a medical procedure to remove dead, damaged or infected tissue, while fasciotomy is a surgical procedure where the fascia (tissue) is cut to relieve tension or pressure to treat loss of circulation. She was also examined by an ophthalmologist.

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The state government on Tuesday flew Navi Mumbai-based National Burns Centre director Sunil Keswani to Nagpur to supervise the woman’s treatment.  A special team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Trupti Jadhav was probing the case.

The attack on woman triggers political battle

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday visited the hospital and enquired about her condition.

The Leader of Opposition in the assembly met the woman’s relatives and spoke to doctors treating her. Speaking later, Fadnavis demanded that the case be tried in a fast-track court to ensure speedy justice to the victim.

According to the victim’s relatives, Nagrale had been harassing her for quite some time. He was arrested within hours of the incident and booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326-A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc).

According to the police, Nagrale and the woman were friends till two years ago when she severed ties with him due to his “irrational behaviour”.

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Meanwhile, a march was taken out in Wardha city on Thursday, demanding death penalty for the accused. Over 3,500 protesters, mostly women and college students, participated in the march and also called for a shut-down in the city, a police official said. 

(With PTI input)