GG News Bureau
Balasore, 12th July: In a deeply disturbing incident, a student of Fakir Mohan College in Odisha’s Balasore district set herself ablaze on campus after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment and threats from her Head of Department (HoD). The woman, enrolled in the integrated B.Ed programme, sustained 95% burn injuries and is currently battling for life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. A fellow student who tried to rescue her suffered 70% burns.
The accused, identified as Samir Kumar Sahu, HoD of the department, was arrested shortly after the incident. Odisha’s Higher Education Department has suspended both Sahu and the college principal, Dilip Ghosh, pending investigation. “Strict action will be taken against them,” said Suryabanshi Suraj, the state’s Higher Education Minister.
According to sources, the victim had submitted a formal complaint to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee on July 1, accusing Sahu of repeatedly demanding sexual favours and threatening to sabotage her academic future if she refused. Despite assurances from the college that action would be taken within seven days, no visible steps were taken.
On Saturday, the victim joined a student protest at the college gate. Eyewitnesses say she suddenly ran toward a corridor near the principal’s office, poured petrol on herself, and lit the fire. A horrifying video shows her engulfed in flames, with one student attempting to douse the fire but retreating after sustaining burns himself.
Principal Dilip Ghosh confirmed the student had met him hours before the incident. “She claimed extreme mental stress and asked me to summon the accused professor, which I did,” Ghosh said. “Sahu denied the allegations, and I informed both parties about the consequences of false statements.”
Following the immolation attempt, protests intensified across the college campus, with students demanding justice and institutional accountability.
Superintendent of Police (Balasore) Raj Prasad stated, “The teacher has been arrested. Multiple teams are collecting evidence. Anyone found guilty will be held accountable.”
Both the victim and the student who tried to save her are undergoing critical treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
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