Mohali: A minor girl suffered around 80% burns after a man allegedly sprayed sanitiser on her and set her on fire at her residence in Industrial Area, Phase 7, Mohali, on Friday.Police said the accused allegedly locked the room from outside and fled after the attack. The girl was rushed to the civil hospital, Phase 6, from where she was referred to PGI due to the severity of her burns. Her condition was stated to be serious.Mohali police arrested one of the accused, Bhushan Kumar, 25, a resident of Sector 41. He works as a cab driver. On Saturday, police recorded her statement through video conferencing and registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS and Pocso Act.Gurcharan Singh, DSP City-1, Mohali, said according to the girl, the accused had been pressuring her to speak with him for some time. On Friday, he allegedly entered the house with two cousins when she was alone.The family said the men surrounded the girl, following which the main accused sprayed sanitiser on her and set her ablaze. He then locked the room from outside and fled along with his companions.The girl’s father, who was nearby, heard her cries and rushed to the spot. He allegedly confronted the accused, while family members and others rushed to rescue the girl. They broke the door open and brought the girl, who was severely burnt, out. The family said there was a scuffle with the accused at this time.Family members also said the accused had been harassing the girl.Investigators are also working to identify the roles of the two other persons who were allegedly present with the main accused. Efforts are underway to trace those involved.
