The child welfare committee of Jharkhand found out that the Dumka murder victim was a minor and sought charges under the Pocso Act.
As the murder of a girl in Jharkhand’s Dumka sent shockwaves across the country, the child welfare committee in the state has now said 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 & 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.
The incident took place in Dumka town on Tuesday 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, 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% burns.
