Odisha Student’s Suicide Sparks Probe into Harassment Claims
Crime Branch investigates student’s death after unvalidated complaint.
The Odisha Police Crime Branch revealed that a 20-year-old student’s self-immolation death in Balasore followed her college’s dismissal of her sexual harassment complaint. The student set herself on fire on July 12, dying on July 14, prompting nationwide outrage.
Crime Branch DG Vinaytosh Mishra noted discrepancies in witness statements to the college’s internal committee, police, and social media. “Her complaint wasn’t validated, triggering her extreme act,” he said. The Crime Against Women & Children Wing, leading the probe since July 17, is examining digital evidence and CCTV footage sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory.
The student accused Samira Kumar Sahoo, head of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College’s Integrated BEd department, of harassment. Sahoo and former principal Dillip Ghose have been arrested. The investigation explores potential incitement, with statements from college staff being recorded.
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Parallel probes by a UGC team and Odisha’s higher education department continue, with the UGC investigation reaching its third day. The Crime Branch vows a fair process to deliver justice while ensuring no innocent person is wrongly blamed.
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