Odisha: Student who committed suicide after being fed up of sexual harassment by HOD dies

Balasore. A 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha died on Tuesday during treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The student had accused her HOD of sexual harassment earlier this month. Frustrated by the lack of action by the college administration, the student set herself on fire on the campus, in which she suffered 90 percent burns. She was first taken to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, where she was referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 12 after her condition became critical.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar said in a statement, ‘She was admitted to the Burns Center ICU. The patient was revived by giving IV fluids, IV antibiotics, tubes and was put on mechanical ventilation. Despite all possible medical efforts including renal replacement therapy in the Burns ICU, she could not be saved. She was declared medically dead at 11:46 pm on July 14.’

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the student’s death and assured her family that all the culprits in the case will get strict punishment as per the law. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled the death of the student. President Draupadi Murmu had visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to inquire about the condition of the student admitted here. When the body of the deceased student was being taken to the AIIMS post-mortem centre, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers protested demanding justice.

The 20-year-old student had set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by the HoD (Head of Department) of her college. Despite filing a formal complaint with the college administration and seeking help from the principal, his pleas were ignored, which frustrated him and he took this horrific step. Meanwhile, Odisha Police has arrested the accused Sameer Sahu as well as Fakir Mohan College’s suspended principal Dilip Ghosh. The court sent them to 14 days of judicial custody. People are angry with this incident and they are demanding strict action against the accused and accountability from the college administration.