A 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, Odisha, died on July 14 after succumbing to 95% burn injuries. This comes after she set herself on fire in front of the college principal’s office. The student, a second-year integrated B.Ed candidate, had earlier alleged sexual and academic harassment by her Head of Department (HoD), Samir Kumar Sahu.

According to a close friend, the victim had confided months ago that the HoD was deliberately failing her, blocking her academic progress, and blackmailing her. “She told us he was threatening to trap her for six years in the system,” the friend told NDTV, adding that the victim was mentally and emotionally exhausted from the prolonged harassment.

Final Plea for Action Met With Delay

On June 30, the student reportedly gathered a few classmates and approached principal Dilip Ghose to file a formal complaint against the HoD. The principal, according to her friend, asked for more time and delayed taking any decisive action.

Twelve days later, on July 12, she again sought to raise the issue. But during a short lunch break, when her friends briefly left her side, she was allegedly summoned alone to the principal’s office. What happened in that meeting remains under investigation, but witnesses say she emerged visibly shaken.

Within minutes, she had poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the office. Fellow student Jyotiranjan Biswal tried to rescue her and sustained 15% burns. The girl was rushed to Balasore District Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she died two days later.

Victim Allegedly Pressured to Withdraw Complaint

According to the FIR filed by her family, the principal allegedly pressured the student during the July 12 meeting to withdraw her complaint and apologise to the accused professor. The complaint claims the principal warned her: “You won’t be able to show your face to anyone. You’ll be forced to end your life if you don’t withdraw the complaint.”

Her cousin, who filed the FIR, believes this coercion pushed her over the edge. The police are also investigating how she managed to procure petrol within minutes, raising questions about possible premeditation or assistance.

Arrests Made, Crime Branch Takes Over Investigation

Following public uproar, both HoD Samir Kumar Sahu and principal Dilip Ghose were suspended and arrested on charges including abetment to suicide, sexual harassment, stalking, and outraging the modesty of a woman. The Odisha Crime Branch has now taken over the investigation.

The state government has also appointed a three-member inquiry panel. Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a fact-finding team to look into institutional lapses.

Political Protests Erupt Across Odisha

The girl’s death has ignited a political firestorm across the state. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the BJD, have accused the ruling BJP government of failing to protect women and students. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi spoke to the girl’s father and called the death an “organised murder by the BJP’s system.”

BJD leader Naveen Patnaik described the incident as “institutional betrayal” and demanded a judicial probe. On the other hand, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the opposition of politicising a tragic event.

A statewide bandh was called, with Balasore witnessing complete shutdowns, roadblocks, and clashes between protesters and police. The incident has also led to demands for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s resignation and stronger laws to ensure campus safety for women.

Governor, CM Vow Harshest Punishment

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who also serves as the Chancellor of state universities, expressed grief on social media and assured “uncompromising punishment” for those responsible. Chief Minister Majhi announced ₹20 lakh ex-gratia aid to the victim’s family and pledged a thorough probe.

The student’s cremation took place in her native village under heavy security.

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