Maharashtra Lecturer Set Ablaze by Stalker on Way to College Succumbs to Her Injuries

Nagpur: The 25-year-old lecturer, who was set ablaze by a stalker in Maharashtra’s Wardha on February 3, succumbed to her injuries on Monday.

The victim, Ankita Pisudde, a resident of Daroda village in Wardha, suffered 40% burns and inhalation injuries and was admitted to a hospital in Nagpur where she was battling for life. She breathed her last on Monday morning.

The accused, Vikesh Nagrale (27) was arrested on the day of the crime, a police official said.

Saddened by the demise of the victim, Supriya Sule, senior NCP Leader and daughter of Sharad Pawar, ensure justice for the family in a brief tweet.

Maharashtra Home minister Anil Deshmukh also said, “I have spoken to the special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to ensure that verdict is out at the earliest and the victim is given justice. We will provide assistance to the family in every possible way and one of the family members will be provided a government job.”

The incident took place on February 3 around 7.15am when the woman alighted from a state transport bus in Hingnaghat town of Wardha, located about 75 km from Nagpur, to get to the college.

At that time, Nagrale came up to her, doused her with petrol that he took out from his two-wheeler, and set her ablaze before running away from the spot, Hingnaghat police station inspector Satyaveer Bandiwar said.

"Some passers-by poured water on the woman and rushed her to a nearby primary health centre from where she was shifted to Orange City Hospital in Nagpur. She had suffered 40 per cent burns," the official said.

The hospital authorities had later released a bulletin, stating that the woman suffered "grade II deep dermal burns covering scalp, face, right upper limb, left hand, upper back, full neck with approximation of 40 per cent burns with inhalation injuries affecting respiratory system also."

Nagrale, who fled the scene of crime, was nabbed from Takalghat village and charged under Indian Penal Code sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, Wardha Superintendent of Police Basavaraj Teli said.

The accused was a friend of the victim till two years ago, but she broke ties with him due to his "irrational behaviour", Bandiwar said.

Nagrale, also from Daroda village, is a married man and has a seven-month-old son. He works at a firm in Balharshah. He used to stalk the woman. He had even tried to commit suicide last year, though no complaint was lodged at that time," the official said.