Shivaji has been arrested and sent to the juvenile remand home. According to preliminary investigations by the Dindoshi police station, Shivaji had on Sunday tried to molest Sunita, who slapped him in retaliation. An incensed Shivaji allegedly told Sunita's mother to `see what he was going to do with her daughter'. On Monday night, Sunita stepped outside her hut to fetch water from a tap about 100 meters away. Shivaji then doused Sunita with kerosene and set her on fire.

Sunita's neighbours - Bhujangrao Waghmare whosustained burns on his right hand, Kashiram and Govind Kasbe - tried in vain to save the girl. According to an eye-witness, they could not spot the perpetrator of the crime as it was pitch dark. By the time they rushed to Sunita's rescue, she was already completely on fire, said the witness. The rescuers' attempts were also dampened by the fact that there is a water shortage in the area. Regular spats erupt over the usage of the water tap in the cluster of huts, added the witness.

Some of Sunita's neighbours however had a different tale: they told Express Newsline that she was set on fire by her mother Shantabai, a vegetable vendor. The police however believe that they are trying to protect Shivaji and save the 11-year-old, the son of a labourer, from prosecution. Senior Police Inspector K A Gawde confirmed that Sunita in her dying declaration had alleged that she was set on fire by Shivaji. Shantabai was not available for comment.

Sunita's father Naga died some years ago, and she would do the householdwork as well as care for her younger brothers, Babu (5) and Santosh (7).