Odisha College Sexual Harassment | A student from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, Odisha, is battling for her life after setting herself on fire on Saturday, allegedly over prolonged sexual harassment by her head of department (HOD), Samir Kumar Sahu. She has sustained 95% burns, while another student who tried to rescue her is also undergoing treatment with 70% burn injuries.
The woman, enrolled in the integrated B.Ed programme, had filed a formal complaint on July 1 with the college’s internal complaints committee. In her complaint, she accused Sahu of persistently seeking “favours” and threatening to ruin her future if she did not comply.
Sources indicate that the student was assured her complaint would be addressed within seven days, but no action had been taken by the time of the incident.
Incident Sparks Protests; Government Promises Strict Action
On Saturday, the student joined a protest outside the college gate along with several others. During the demonstration, she suddenly ran towards the principal’s office, poured petrol on herself, and set herself ablaze. Shocking footage shows her engulfed in flames, running through a corridor as people try to help.
The principal of the college, Dilip Ghosh, confirmed that the student’s complaint had been officially registered. “She met me in my office today and stated that she was facing extreme mental pressure. She asked me to call Sahu to the office, which I did,” he said.
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Ghosh added, “I informed both the student and the teacher of the consequences if any of their statements were found to be false. Sahu denied the allegations, and the woman also stood firm.”
Following the incident, protests intensified on campus. Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced that both the HOD and the principal have been suspended. “Strict action will be taken against them,” he said.
Superintendent of Police (Balasore) Raj Prasad confirmed the arrest of Samir Kumar Sahu. “Several teams are collecting evidence. Whoever is found to be at fault will be held accountable,” he said.
Both the woman and the student who tried to save her are currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
