Balasore Tragedy: Odisha Student Who Self-Immolated Over Harassment Dies

Bhubaneswar: The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who had set herself ablaze on campus in protest against alleged sexual harassment by a faculty member, succumbed to her injuries late on Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Her death has triggered widespread outrage, political unrest, and demands for a judicial inquiry into the handling of the case.

AIIMS Confirms Death Despite Intensive Medical Efforts

According to an official medical bulletin from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the student was declared clinically dead at 11:46 p.m. on July 14, despite efforts involving renal replacement therapy and intensive care.

She had been battling for life since July 12, when she poured petrol and self-immolated outside the Principal’s office during a student protest, alleging that repeated complaints of harassment against Samir Sahu, Head of the Education Department, were ignored.

President Murmu, CM Majhi Visited Student Hours Before Death

Just hours before her demise, President Droupadi Murmu, who was at AIIMS for the institute’s 5th convocation, had visited the burn unit and discussed the treatment plan with doctors. She was accompanied by Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

CM Majhi later expressed grief in a post on X:

“Despite all medical efforts, her life could not be saved. I offer my deepest condolences to her family and assure them that all culprits will face strict legal action.”
He confirmed having issued personal instructions to ensure justice is delivered.

The death has sparked a major political controversy, with BJD and Congress leaders accusing the state government of negligence and cover-up. Protests erupted outside AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where BJD workers tried to block the road, alleging the government was rushing the post-mortem process to suppress facts. Congress joined the agitation later that night.

After the post-mortem, the body was sent to Balasore by hearse van, with heavy police deployment along the route and in Bhubaneswar to prevent escalation.

Former CM Naveen Patnaik stated,

“The girl was denied justice at every level. Her death exposes the apathy and failure of the system meant to protect women.”

Arrests and Government Action Following the Incident

• Samir Sahu, the accused teacher, was arrested on July 12.
• Principal Dillip Ghosh, suspended after the incident, was arrested on July 14.
• The Odisha Governor has sought a detailed report on the matter.
• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW) have both taken suo moto cognizance.

In response, the Odisha government has directed all colleges to form Internal Complaint Committees (ICC) within 24 hours, as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 — something that was allegedly lacking in FM College.

Family Speaks Out: “She Was Left With No Option”

The grieving family of the deceased has claimed that she had approached every possible authority, but received no concrete assurance, leading to the tragic step.

“She was brave, but the system failed her. She wanted justice, not sympathy,” a family member said.

The Crime Against Women and Children Wing of Odisha Crime Branch has launched a separate investigation. With pressure mounting, a judicial probe into institutional failure is likely to be announced soon.

This case has not only shocked the state but has also brought national attention to the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to handle harassment complaints in educational institutions.

(The content is sourced from agencies and has not been edited by mtimes.co.in.)

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