Odisha Student Who Set Herself On Fire Over Inaction Against Harassment Dies
A 22-year-old college student from Odisha, who set herself on fire over inaction on a sexual harassment complaint against a professor, died last night after battling for life for three days.
"Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 pm on 14/05/25," the AIIMS Bhubaneswar said in a statement.
The student, enrolled in B.Ed programme at the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, had levelled sexual harassment charges against the head of department, Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, on July 1. She had detailed months of abuse and threats from the professor in a letter to the college's Internal Complaints Committee, but there was no action against the professor.
On July 12, she set herself on fire over the inaction on the premises of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore. She was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with over 90 per cent burn injuries. The battle for life ended late last night, with the hospital declaring her dead.
The principal of the college has been arrested.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences on the student's death and assured her family that all those guilty will face the strictest punishment.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from FM Autonomous College. Despite the government fulfilling all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," he said in an online post.
The incident has triggered protests, political back-and-forth, and calls for urgent institutional reforms.
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