Bhubaneswar: Four days after a 15-year-old girl claimed she was set on fire by three bike-borne men, police are yet to find any evidence of bikers at the crime scene during the reported time of the incident. A senior police officer said there is currently no evidence to support the FIR or the girl’s statement. Investigators went through witness accounts, reviewed CCTV footage within a 2 km radius, and conducted a forensic analysis of the area for vehicle movement, but have so far failed to find any evidence to support the girl’s claim.The girl, who is reportedly traumatised, requires more time to stabilise before providing further details that could help clarify the sequence of events. Police are unable to interrogate her further till her condition improves. The condition of the girl, admitted to AIIMS New Delhi, where she was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, is said to be stable.In the absence of evidence to confirm or refute the girl’s claims, police are awaiting her recovery to gather a more accurate account of the incident, suggesting the probe may become a long-drawn process. A witness, who was nearby during the alleged attack, reported not having seen any bike at the time.Initially, the investigation focused entirely on the 15-year-old’s statement and her mother’s complaint, which accused three unidentified men of attacking her with an inflammable liquid. However, police are now exploring all possibilities. They have questioned numerous individuals, including acquaintances of the girl, local residents, and those with criminal backgrounds, but are yet to find any concrete lead.Stating that investigation is ongoing and being conducted with an open mind, Puri SP Pinak Mishra emphasised that the probe is being handled professionally and scientifically. “One must not speculate or attribute motives until the investigation reaches a more advanced stage. No conclusions can be drawn until solid evidence is obtained,” the SP said.
