As we write this post, Ankita, a 25-year-old college lecturer, is fighting for her life in a hospital as she was set ablaze by her stalker. Her traumatic story will make you wonder if we have any right to call ourselves a civilized society.
On Monday morning Ankita Pisudde, a resident of Wardha in Maharashtra, was on her way to college where she works as a lecturer. But, Ankita hardly knew that she would become a victim of a segment of the same society, that she was helping to build.
As per the police, a 25-year-old woman teaching at a college in Maharashtra’s Wardha district was set ablaze by a stalker on Monday morning. While sharing the details of the accused, the police mentioned:
“The accused, Vikesh Nagrale (27), who was the victim’s friend till two years back before she severed ties with him after he got married to another woman, has been arrested.”
The incident took place when the woman alighted from a state transport bus to get to the college. At that time, Nagrale came up to her, doused her with petrol and set her ablaze before running away from the spot. Sharing how some passer-by helped the woman, the official shared:
“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 has suffered 40 percent burns.
Nagrale is a married man and has a 7-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”, police said.
As per TOI, around three months ago, Nagrale had approached Ankita in the bus to speak to her. She had objected to it and also relayed to his father Arun about it. Arun had berated Nagrale and threatened to approach the police if he repeated his actions. At that time, no police complaint was lodged.
Her Battle For Life
As per the authorities, the woman suffered “Grade-II deep dermal burns covering the scalp, face, right upper limb, left hand, upper back, full neck with an approximation of 40 percent burns with inhalation injuries affecting respiratory system also”. Though the authorities mentioned that the condition of the woman was “critical but stable”, they also mentioned that the initial seven days are very critical for the victim.
As she battles for her life, the State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has announced that the trial of the accused would be fast-tracked, and well-known lawyer Ujjwal Nikam would be appointed as a special prosecutor as per the request of the woman’s relatives.
The Bottom Line
Your heart will definitely wrench in pain for this young daughter, who paid the price for being a woman in our country. Though the accused may get the harshest punishment, we couldn’t stop asking ourselves some questions:
- For how long the women in this country will pay the price for being courageous?
- How many more mothers, daughters or sisters need to be sacrificed before our country becomes a safe place for its women
At IForHer, while we are praying for Ankita’s speedy recovery, we couldn’t stop ourselves but wonder the pain her parents must be going through. It is never easy to see your daughter lying half burnt on the hospital bed paying the price of being strong and independent. We hope God will give the strength to these parents, who are living the nightmare that we wish no parents have to live.