Her mother Hasina told this correspondent that she was grazing goats in a field near their Pacher Kura village home on February 25. Three youths of the village dragged her to a wheat field and violated her. She named the alleged rapists as Pandit,14, Ratan,15, and Anisur.

Her parents sought justice from village elders, who advised them to wait for some days.

Out of shame and disgrace, the dejected girl went to a nearby bamboo cluster Monday morning, poured kerosene and torched herself to end her life. Her screams drew nearby people, who took her to the Sadar Hospital in a critical condition.

Gaibandha Sadar police yesterday said they have filed a rape case and arrested one of the rapists, Anisur. The two others are absconding, police said.

Hasina also alleged that some village elders are now persuading her to settle the matter in exchange of money.

At the hospital, Dr. Shakhawat Hossain said her condition was critical as her chest, back and face have been severely burnt.