90% Burns, No Justice: Student Dies After Setting Herself on Fire, Harassment Complaint Ignored by Odisha College
A 20‑year‑old college student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, died after self‑immolation. She had complained of sexual harassment by the HoD of Education Department. Assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu threatened to lower her marks unless she complied. With burn injuries covering 90% of her body, she passed away in AIIMS Bhubaneshwar.
College authorities and Principal Dilip Ghosh dismissed the allegations, stating that the internal committee had not found any substantial evidence to support the complaint. Her classmates and other college students charged that there was no student representation in the internal committee, while colleagues of the accused teachers tried to suppress the matter.
Her distraught father shared the HoD, and the Principal used various tactics to silence her. “He threatened my daughter that she won’t be able to clear her papers even in six years. “The college principal asked her to withdraw her complaint. He even threatened to rusticate her from college”.
In response, the NCW took suo motu cognizance, directing Odisha’s DGP to ensure a fair probe and provide free medical and psychological care.
