Feni: A female madrasa student, who had accused her principal of sexually harassing her, was set afire allegedly by fellow students in Sonagazi Upazila on Saturday.

But some madrasa students claimed it was an attempted self-immolation.

The girl went to Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa centre around 9:30am when some students, loyal to Principal Sirajuddoula, took her to the roof and set her on fire, her brother claimed, reports the UNB.

‘She has suffered 70 to 80 percent burns,’ said Dr Nurul Alam, medical officer of Upazila Health Complex.

‘She’s been shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as her condition deteriorated.’

Officer-in-Charge of Sonagazi Model Police Station Moazzem Hossain said a case would be filed soon.

Principal Sirajuddoula was detained on March 17 after the victim brought allegations of sexual harassment against him. A number of students pressed for his release while another group demanded his punishment.

The victim’s mother filed a case against the principal following the alleged harassment.