A second-year Integrated B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Odisha’s Balasore district died late Monday night after setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on a sexual harassment complaint against a professor. The 20-year-old, who sustained 95% burns, had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
She reportedly attempted suicide on Saturday, frustrated by the lack of response from college authorities regarding her complaint. Despite efforts by doctors, including intensive care and renal replacement therapy, she was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14.
Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the culprits would face the “strictest punishment under the law.” “I have personally instructed the authorities to take swift action,” Majhi posted on X, adding that the government stands with the victim’s family during this tragic time.
President Droupadi Murmu, who was in AIIMS Bhubaneswar for its convocation, made an unscheduled visit to the burn ward to enquire about the student’s condition prior to her death.
Meanwhile, Odisha Police arrested Education Department Head Samira Kumar Sahu and college principal Dilip Ghose in connection with the incident. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for urgent reforms in handling sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions.
