“He called and threatened to kill me at 8 pm."
A 19-year-old Indian woman has died after being set on fire by her neighbour for refusing his advances.
The incident happened in the district of Dumka, Jharkhand.
The victim was identified as Ankita Singh, a Class 12 student.
It was reported that her neighbour, Shahrukh Hussain, used to harass her every day.
He would approach her and pursue a relationship.
Hussain also obtained her phone number and called her frequently, requesting her to be in a relationship with him.
The harassment eventually became too much and Ankita told him to stop speaking to her.
But this angered Hussain and he threatened to kill her.
During the early morning of August 23, 2022, Hussain poured petrol on a sleeping Ankita through an open window and set her alight.
Ankita’s screams were heard by her family and they rushed to extinguish the flames.
She was rushed to Phoolo Jhano Medical College Hospital and doctors said she suffered 90% burns. The Indian woman was then taken to Ranchi’s Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) for further treatment.
Whilst in hospital, Ankita identified Hussain as the perpetrator and told police about the harassment he subjected her to.
She said: “He called and threatened to kill me at 8 pm.
“When my papa came home at 10 pm, I told him. Papa said that he will deal with it tomorrow. At 4 am, he sprinkled petrol on me, lit fire and ran away.
“His name is Shahrukh. There was another boy Chottu with him. I want that strict action should be taken against him – just like I am dying and suffering, he should too.”
Ankita tragically died in the early hours of August 28, 2022.
Her death sparked outrage, with many staging protests and calling for justice.
One Twitter user wrote: “Ankita, a girl from Jharkhand who was poured gasoline and set on fire by her neighbour Shahrukh, died last night.
“Her father, Sanjeev Singh, said that Ankita breathed her last at 2:30 am. At night, she would ask: ‘Tell me honestly if I will survive or not’.”
Another said: “This cycle of attacks on girls and women, relentless stalking, the refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer, violating consent and privacy, police, families not taking these threats seriously has to stop.
“Enough is enough. Today a young, bright life and light has been extinguished.”
Hussain has since been arrested but a video chillingly shows him smiling at his actions.
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— Yogita Bhayana ?????? ????? (@yogitabhayana) August 29, 2022
Speaking of his lack of remorse, one social media user said:
“Such disgusting and frustrated animals should be hanged soon.”
Another commented:
“Look at this monster! Look at his bloody smile! Strictest punishment for him!!!”
A third wrote: “Looking at him it feels like he doesn’t have any regret about what he has done.
“Such people are very dangerous. Hang him in front of the public.”
Her death has also seen #JusticeForAnkita trending on Twitter.
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