A 12-year-old girl was set ablaze in the Kurnool district of Andhra after rejecting the advances of a stalker who had been harassing for several months.

The accused, Mohiuddin Saheb, had reportedly been badgering the young girl for months. Exasperated by the relentless harassment, the minor complained about the same to her parents, who warned Saheb to stay away from their daughter. Infuriated by the warning, the man set the girl ablaze while she was on her way to a shop. She was first admitted to the Adoni general hospital on Saturday and was then moved to the Kurnool general government hospital. The doctors have reported that the victim’s condition is critical as she has suffered third-degree burns on 65 to 70 percent of her body.

The accused was on the run before he was captured and arrested. The police have reported that Saheb is a married man with four children. He has been booked under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and appropriate sections of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).