Dhenkanal, Jan. 31: A 16-year-old girl committed suicide today by setting herself on fire after allegedly being raped by her neighbour at Bhagwanpur in the district headquarter town. 

Police have registered a case against the neighbour, Ranjan Sahu, 35. He is absconding. The girl was allegedly raped when she stepped out of her house around 1am yesterday. This morning, she poured kerosene on herself at her home and set herself on fire. She died on the spot.

“We have formed a team to search for the accused and are conducting raids,” said  Dhenkanal Town police station inspector in charge P.K. Pradhan. Her father wrote in a complaint: “My eldest daughter was raped by Ranjan last night. Unable to bear the stigma, she committed suicide.” The incident comes a week after the rape and murder of a nine-year-old tribal girl in Bhuban village.