The child welfare committee of Jharkhand confirmed!
As the murder of a girl in Jharkhand's Dumka sent shockwaves and grief across the country, the child welfare committee in the state has said today that the victim was 15 years old and not 19, as stated earlier.
The panel has also asked for charges to be added to the matter under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The Dumka Public Relations Office said in a statement, "Jharkhand Child Welfare Committee recommends SP to add sections under POCSO Act in the matter. The Committee found out that the deceased was 15 years old and not 19 as mentioned by Police in her recorded statement."
A Class 12 student was set ablaze by her alleged stalker, identified as Shahrukh, on August 23. She succumbed to her burn injuries in the early hours of Sunday, August 28.
On Tuesday, The incident took place in Dumka town when the accused, identified as Shahrukh, poured petrol on the woman from outside the window of her room when she was asleep and set her on fire in the morning at 4am, police said.
The victim, a student of Class 12, had been first admitted to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka in critical condition with 90% body burnt.
The incident led to widespread protests with demands of speedy trial and death penalty for the accused.
Two persons, Shahrukh and Naeem Khan, have been arrested in connection with the case till Tuesday afternoon.
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