Zirakpur: A young woman who had allegedly set herself on fire outside a police post in Zirakpur after repeated attempts to lodge a rape complaint has died during treatment at Chandigarh’s PGI, nearly two weeks after the incident. Her death has sparked outrage, with the family accusing police of ignoring her pleas for justice.
The woman had sustained severe burn injuries after the self-immolation attempt outside the Baltana police post and was first admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, before being shifted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research due to her deteriorating condition. Despite intensive treatment, she succumbed to her injuries after battling for life for 12 days.
Family members alleged that she had been visiting the police post for several days to file a complaint against a man she accused of sexual assault, but no FIR was registered. According to relatives, she had gone to the police station again on April 29 with her brother, hoping action would finally be taken.
They claimed that instead of hearing them out, officials reprimanded them and turned them away. Distraught and frustrated, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the premises shortly afterward.
People nearby rushed to extinguish the flames and took her to the hospital, where doctors fought to save her. Her brother said the repeated refusal to act on her complaint pushed her into despair and led to the tragic step.
The incident drew attention from the Punjab State Commission for Women, which sought a detailed explanation from the police over the handling of the matter.
Following the controversy, authorities removed the police post in-charge and the investigating officer from active field duty pending further inquiry. Senior officials have assured a full investigation into both the alleged assault complaint and the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
The case has intensified concerns over police responsiveness in crimes against women and prompted fresh demands for accountability and institutional reform.
