Our society is so much confused that it cannot differentiate between development and culture. Mixing the two up every time, they commit a crime so horrendous that it remains unforgiven forever. Compared to so-called tradition and beliefs, environment plays absolutely no role. Every culture and tradition if believed and followed truly will tell you to do nothing but save nature. That is exactly what 20-year-old Lalitha from Jodhpur, Rajasthan did – all she wanted to do was to save a tree from being cut. However, that apparently was not the “right thing” to protest against and she was allegedly burnt alive.

From the Panchayat’s sarpanch to a revenue official many of the so-called “higher authorities were also involved. According to reports by the police, NDTV quoted that  Lalita had objected to the cutting of trees in her farm for the widening of a road in the village, around 100 km from Jodhpur. A group of villagers allegedly attacked her, poured petrol on her and set her on fire. She died in the hospital she was admitted in. “The dispute was over a road, my sister was opposing it…they poured petrol on her and set her on fire,” said Lalitha’s brother Vidyadhar to NDTV.

The police say they are investigating allegations that the sarpanch or head of her village, Ranveer Singh, and revenue official Om Prakash were among those who set her on fire. “The sarpanch and other people poured petrol on her and burnt her alive. The body is in the mortuary. We will arrest the accused soon, after a fair investigation,” said the Police officer who is investigating the case.

Some villagers claim that the woman came with a can of kerosene and set herself ablaze. A total of 10 people were involved in the crime.