The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Harassed' girl commits immolation, 3 boys held

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 28, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Harassed' girl commits immolation, 3 boys held

By K. Manikandan

TAMBARAM, FEB. 27. A 13-year-old girl immolated herself reportedly due to sexual harassment by three boys near her house at Kamarajar Nagar, Pallavaram, yesterday.

D. Meena poured kerosene and set herself on fire around 9.30 a.m. Her parents rushed her to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where she died. The Pallavaram police have arrested the boys, all of them aged between 10 and 14, on the charge of sexual harassment and lodged them in the Juvenile Home at Kellys here.

According to the Chengai East police, two boys, who were flying kites on Friday went to the terrace of Meena's house, under construction, and allegedly passed comments at the girl. The girl complained to the parents, who consoled her. On Saturday, the girl was again subjected to sexual harassment by the boys, who were joined by a friend. Unable to bear the harassment, she rushed to the house and committed suicide.

A shaken Durai, her father, said. "My relatives alerted me and I ran towards the house. I noticed my daughter standing, partially burnt.'' The girl was rushed to the Chromepet Government Hospital, from where she was referred to the Burns Ward of the KMC Hospital. Durai said his daughter narrated the entire incident to doctors, accusing the boys of sexually harassing her.

The Pallavaram police booked the boys under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (abetment of suicide) and under provisions of Section 4 A of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Meena was a standard VIII student at the Nagalkeni Government Higher Secondary School. Geetha said her daughter was always among the top three students and secured the first rank recently.

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