Brutal crime: 13-year-old burned after rape attempt

She had gone to visit her friend’s house.

BAHAWALPUR:

A 13-year-old girl was taken to Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan on Monday after she was set on fire by a friend’s brother after a rape attempt.

Doctors who treated her said her condition was critical.

A case has been filed against the suspect, who the police said, fled. The girl’s father, a resident of Dadla Shaheed Colony in Ahmedpur Lama, told police that his daughter helped her mother embroider and stitch people’s clothes.

On Monday, he said, she went to a friend’s house in the neighbourhood. When she reached there, he said, her friend’s brother opened the door and told her to wait as she (his sister) was on her way.

He said while his daughter was waiting for the friend, her brother tried to rape her. When she started shouting for help, he threw kerosene oil at her and set her clothes on fire.

He then fled from the scene.

Some neighbours who heard her scream rushed to the house. One of them informed her parents and she was taken to the district headquarters hospital, from where she was sent to Shaikh Zayed Hospital. Doctors treating her said that she was in critical condition. They said she had 50 per cent burns. Ahmadpur Lama police have registered an FIR and recorded her statement.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2013.