In a development that has raised eyebrows, S Shyni, Inspector General of Odisha Police’s Crime Branch, has proceeded on leave just as the investigation into the self-immolation of a college student in Balasore takes a dramatic turn.

Shyni, who also heads the Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAWCW), officially went on leave from Tuesday, a day after the arrest of two Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leaders in connection with the student's death. The 20-year-old victim, a second-year student at FM College, had allegedly faced sexual harassment by a professor and succumbed to self-inflicted burn injuries on July 14 at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, two days after setting herself on fire.

With Shyni on leave until August 15, the probe will now be supervised by Crime Branch SP Anirudha Routray. Director General of the Crime Branch, Vinaytosh Mishra, was quick to downplay any link between the timing of the leave and the arrests, saying, “Her going on leave has nothing to do with the arrest of the two student leaders. It’s for personal work.”

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However, the timing has fueled speculation, especially as the investigation has already led to four arrests—including the professor accused of harassment, a former college principal, and the two ABVP leaders booked for abetment of suicide.

The Odisha Crime Branch took over the probe on July 16, following public outrage and demands for justice. With the case now attracting statewide attention, activists and student groups have called for transparency and an expedited investigation.

As the case continues to unravel, all eyes are on how the Crime Branch navigates the growing pressure and whether the leadership change mid-investigation impacts its pace or direction.

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