The girl’s family, however, alleged that local youth Anil Pasi’s indecent behaviour to her was responsible for this extreme step.

But Barra police suspect that the family’s opposition to her relationship with the same youth forced her to commit suicide.

Seema’s father Ram Ajor alleged that Pasi often misbehaved with his daughter due to which she had gone into depression. He claimed Seema felt so harassed that she had to drop out of school, where she was studying in Class VII. “Six months ago, Anil had forcibly taken her away with him. I had even reported the matter to Barra police,” he said. On Monday too, Pasi misbehaved with Seema, when she was alone at home, he alleged.

Ajor said while returning home on Monday evening, he saw smoke emminating from his house. On rushing inside, he found Seema engulfed in flames. “We rushed her to Hallet Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival with over 80 per cent burns,” he added.

SP Atul Saxena said investigation has revealed that Seema was in a relationship with Pasi and they had also eloped about six months ago. The police had recovered Seema from her relative’s house in Govardhan Purwa, after her father lodged a complaint.

He said that the police have also recovered a greeting card from the spot, which confirms Seema’s relationship with Pasi.

“Seema’s father had a row with her on Monday over the same thing,” he said.