According to fellow students, the woman had been mentally distressed for weeks, allegedly due to persistent harassment by her teacher in Odisha’s Balasore.
A woman undergraduate student of a college in Odisha’s Balasore is battling for life after she attempted self-immolation in front of the college principal’s chamber in protest against months-long sexual harassment by her teacher and the institute’s alleged inaction in the matter. She sustained over 90 per cent burn injuries.
The student, pursuing a B Ed course from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, sustained over 90 per cent burn injuries and is currently undergoing critical care at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Another student who tried to rescue her also sustained serious burn injuries.
According to fellow students, the woman had been mentally distressed for weeks, allegedly due to persistent harassment by the Head of the Integrated B Ed Department, Sameer Kumar Sahoo. Batchmates claimed Sahoo made repeated inappropriate demands and threatened her with academic consequences if she refused to comply.
Despite reportedly submitting formal complaints to both the college principal and the local police, no substantial action was taken. Students said that although an internal committee was formed, it made little progress.
The woman set herself on fire shortly after she met with the college principal.
In the wake of the incident, the Odisha Higher Education Department has taken swift disciplinary action. Head of Department Sameer Sahoo has been arrested, and Principal Dillip Kumar Ghosh has been suspended.
Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj confirmed the developments, stating, “The state government has taken the matter seriously. A high-level inquiry has been initiated under the chairmanship of the Director of the department, with a committee comprising a Joint Secretary-level woman officer and a senior woman principal from another college.”
The minister added that strict action would follow upon completion of the inquiry. “I have spoken with AIIMS Bhubaneswar officials for her immediate and advanced treatment and also discussed the matter with the Chief Minister,” he said.
Balasore SP Raj Prasad said that HOD Sameer Sahoo was arrested after initial questioning and has been forwarded to court.
