The Orissa High Court delivered a stunning verdict on Tuesday, refusing to order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the tragic self-immolation of a 20-year-old college student who set herself ablaze after alleged sexual harassment by a teacher. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Manas Ranjan Pathak, expressed confidence in the ongoing Crime Branch investigation, led by a senior IPS officer, into the July 12 incident at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore.

The second-year B.Ed student, who suffered 95% burns and died on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, had accused the college of inaction against the professor. The court noted that the implicated teacher and the then-principal have been arrested, with Advocate General Pitambar Acharya assuring a thorough probe to deliver justice.

However, the bench took a fiery stand against the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, issuing notices for their July 17 bandh that disrupted public life. The court slammed the parties for politicizing the tragedy through strikes, road blockades, and protests inside hospitals like AIIMS, which paralyzed public transport and violated Supreme Court rulings against obstructing normal life. The petitioner’s advocate revealed he couldn’t even reach the court due to the chaos.

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Taking suo motu cognizance, the bench demanded responses from BJD and Congress within three weeks, condemning their actions as “undemocratic” and disruptive. With the matter set for further hearing, this high-profile case continues to spark outrage and debate over justice and political accountability in Odisha.

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