The day Hasmi, 16, breathed her last in Kathmandu, the locals - mostly representatives of various Muslim organizations and relatives of Babu Khan, who has been accused of setting fire to Hasmi, took to the streets, demanding that the victim´s family also be brought under the scanner. [break]
Some locals have even claimed that Hasmi had run out only after being set ablaze inside her house. They say that Khan, 21, who hails from India, has been made the scapegoat.
Arif Ahmad Rai, one of the agitating locals, claimed that Hasmi was already engulfed in fire when she rushed out of her home. “I saw her running out of her home with flames all over body,” said Rai. “I do not think anybody else went inside to set her on fire.” He also claimed that Hasmi´s family wanted to keep her in the house instead of taking her to the hospital.
“As they did not want to take Hasmi to the hospital, I called the police and helped in taking her to the hospital,” said Rai, adding, “At that time, the accused was lying on his own bed.”
However, the police maintain that they arrested Khan on the basis of Hasmi´s statement, who was still conscious till Friday afternoon. “Hasmi´s statement is safe with us,” said SP Ramkripal Shah, chief of District Police Office of Bardiya.” SP Shah says that Hasmi´s statement is the most important proof that shows Khan´s involvement.
The victim´s family says that Khan´s relatives are just trying to save him. “What could be more important proof than my sister´s statement, which was recorded by the police themselves,” said Tanbir Ahmad, the victim´s older brother.
Earlier, it was reported that Khan set Hasmi ablaze after she repeatedly turned down his marriage proposal.
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