A 20-year-old girl was allegedly burnt alive by a jilted lover at T. Nagarapalem area under Bheemunipatnam police station limits here on Saturday.
The accused fled from the spot and allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a train near Vizianagaram town.
The victim was identified as Potnuru Roopa (20), a second-year B.Sc. student of a private college at Tagarapuvalasa area in Vizag city and resident of T. Nagarapalem. The accused was P Hari Santosh (30), a worker in a sofa repair shop at T. Nagarapalem area.
Hari has been allegedly stalking the victim for last few months and she always refused to talk to him.
Inspector of Bheemili police station G. Bala Surya Rao said the incident took place around 12.25 p.m. on Saturday when the girl and her brother, P. Upendra, were at home.
Hari Santosh entered Roopa's house with a can of kerosene and allegedly poured it on her and set her ablaze. Roopa’s brother Upendra sustained burns while trying to save her. Roopa died on the spot.
After committing the crime, Hari Santosh fled from the area and an hour later his body was found on the rail track near Vizianagaram.
Parents of the victim said to be daily wage workers had gone for work at that time. Upendra has been shifted to King George Hospital where he is undergoing treatment for burns and his condition is said to be critical.
The incident has sent shock waves among the residents of T. Nagarapalem area. Sources said that the Hari Santosh was reportedly warned several times by the relatives of the girl for stalking her but he didn’t change his attitude.