In a disturbing incident in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, a woman attempted self-immolation, alleging police inaction against her rapist. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Modinagar tehsil premises. The woman accused the police of failing to take appropriate action against the man who allegedly raped her.

According to reports, the woman poured petrol on her body in a desperate attempt to get justice. Police officers at the scene intervened swiftly, preventing her from setting herself on fire by snatching the lighter from her hand. She was then taken to the Community Health Centre in Modinagar, where she received first aid and was later discharged.

The woman stated that the accused had allegedly raped her months ago under the guise of marriage. She further claimed that after two years of physical harassment, he ended all communication with her. She also alleged that the accused had fractured her hand during an assault.

Following her complaint, the police registered a case of rape and assault approximately two months prior to the incident. However, the accused was not arrested, leading the woman to accuse the police outpost in charge of colluding with him. She had previously warned the police that she would commit suicide if the accused was not arrested within 48 hours.

Prior to her self-immolation attempt, the police had charged the accused with disturbing the peace. The woman argued that this charge was insufficient and demonstrated negligence on the part of the police, as the charges should have been for rape.

This incident highlights a recurring issue in India, where alleged rape victims resort to extreme measures, including self-immolation, to protest perceived police inaction. Several similar cases have been reported where women have attempted or threatened self-immolation due to the lack of progress in their cases. In some instances, the victims have accused police of colluding with the accused or deliberately delaying investigations.

In 2021, a woman who accused a Bahujan Samaj Party MP of rape, set herself on fire outside the Supreme Court and later died of her injuries. In another incident in 2019, a rape victim attempted self-immolation inside a police station, alleging police inaction in arresting the accused. These instances underscore the desperation and frustration felt by victims who believe they have been failed by the system.

Advocates and activists have called for stricter investigation standards, timely registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), and better support systems for victims of sexual assault. Concerns have also been raised about the normalization of gifts and the evidentiary gaps that lead to low conviction rates in dowry-related cases, which can also contribute to women feeling helpless and taking drastic steps.