Pharmacy college Principal set on fire by former student succumbs to injuries

The victim, principal of B M College of Pharmacy located under Simrol police station area, had been battling for life after former student of the institute allegedly poured petrol and set her on fire over a marksheet on Monday, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Bhagwat Singh Virde told PTI.

She could not be saved despite best efforts by doctors, he said.

The accused had set her on fire in the college premises leaving her 80 percent burnt, he added. The accused, who was arrested on Monday, is currently in police custody, Virde said.

The district administration has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against the accused for conspiring and committing the heinous crime, he said.

According to the police official, the accused was earlier booked for attempted murder, but now after the death of the principal, a charge of murder is being added in the first information report (FIR).

Virde said the accused told the police during his interrogation that the authorities of B M College were not handing over the marksheet of BPharm examination which he had cleared in July 2022.

However, the college management termed the accused's claim as false and alleged that he has criminal tendencies. The college authorities also claimed that despite being asked to collect his marksheet repeatedly, he did not take the document.