A 12-year-old girl immolated herself in shame today after she was allegedly raped by a neighbour in Burdwan district here, police said today.
The class VI student was allegedly raped by her neighbour when she was alone in her house following which she poured kerosene and set herself on fire, said S M H Mirza, SP, Burdwan district.
She was rushed to Katwa hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, he said.
"We have recorded the statement of the victim before she died. She told us that she took the drastic step out of shame following the rape committed by her neighbour Amar Majhi," said Mirza.
"She also said that Majhi used to stalk her often while she went to school and had taken advantage of her being alone at home today. We have arrested him, though he managed to flee the area soon after committing the crime," he said.
An FIR was lodged with the police by the victim's father, police said.
