The accused set the girl on fire early this morning, police said.

Highlights The accused was known to the girl, had insisted on marrying her: Police

Girl's family had refused his proposal, saying she was underage

The accused also suffered burn injuries and died on the way to hospital

A 17-year-old girl in Kerala died after she was set on fire allegedly by a known person who wanted to marry her, police said today. The accused also suffered burn injuries and died on the way to hospital.

Midhun, who is in his late twenties, had repeatedly insisted on marrying the teen, but her family refused, saying she was underage.

But he refused to give up and kept pressing the family, forcing them to go to the police. Midhun then assured the police that he would not chase the girl anymore.

Early this morning, Midhun reached the girl's house but was stopped by her father. When the teen came out of the house, he allegedly poured some inflammable substance on her and set her on fire. The girl's father was also burnt as he tried to save her.

Both the girl and Midhun were taken to the Ernakulam Medical College, where they were declared dead.