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B.Ed student in Odisha set herself on fire after alleging sexual harassment by her HoD.
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Victim suffered 95% burns; remains critical at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
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Family accuses college officials of pressuring her to withdraw complaint.
GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 14th July: The father of the 22-year-old student who attempted self-immolation outside Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha’s Balasore district has said his daughter’s condition is critical and that he could not even recognise her due to severe burn injuries.
“She is on life support. Doctors told me 95% of her body is damaged,” the father said at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she is being treated. “I went to see her today. I cannot recognise my daughter.”
The student, enrolled in the integrated B.Ed. programme, had filed a sexual harassment complaint on July 1 against her head of department, Samir Kumar Sahu, accusing him of soliciting sexual favours and threatening her academic future when she refused. Her family alleges that she faced continuous pressure from the college administration to withdraw the complaint.
“Everyone knows who is responsible—the principal, the HOD, the education department, and the internal committee. They tortured my daughter,” the father claimed, adding, “They even told me that if we didn’t withdraw the complaint, an FIR would be filed against me.”
On the day of the incident, the victim had reportedly gone to seek a statement from the principal to support her case. Her brother said he last spoke to her around 11 am, and by 1 pm, the family was informed that she had set herself on fire on the college campus.
A disturbing video shows her engulfed in flames, running through the corridor as bystanders scramble to help. A student who attempted to rescue her suffered 70% burn injuries and is also undergoing treatment at AIIMS.
The accused professor, Samir Kumar Sahu, has been arrested.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital on Sunday and assured all possible medical support. “AIIMS Bhubaneswar is coordinating with AIIMS Delhi for advanced consultation. If necessary, she will be airlifted for further treatment,” he said.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with demands for accountability and justice growing louder across the state.
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