Balasore self-immolation: ‘Hero' student, aide arrested for abetment
BHUBANESWAR: The Crime Branch investigation into the recent self-immolation of a 20-year-old college student in Balasore took a dramatic twist on Monday following the arrest of two students, including one previously hailed as a hero for reportedly trying to save her, on charges of abetment.
Investigators found that both students had allegedly instigated the victim to take the extreme step after college authorities failed to address her sexual harassment complaint against the Head of Department (HoD).
'Strong evidence of abetment to suicide led to their arrests,' confirmed IGP, S Shyni of the Crime Against Women and Children's Wing, to TOI.
Investigations revealed that the student who claimed to have attempted rescue actually sustained burns while recording the incident on his mobile phone from close proximity.
'Multiple video clips of the incident were recovered from his phone,' another Crime Branch official said.
The suspect had earlier garnered public sympathy and media attention for his supposed rescue attempt. While receiving treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for 15% burns, he had recounted: "I rushed toward her when she lit the match, but the flames spread instantly, burning my face and clothes before I could reach her."
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The incident occurred on July 12 when the victim, protesting against the administration's inaction on her sexual harassment complaint, doused herself in petrol and self-immolated outside the principal's office.
Initially admitted to Balasore district hospital with 95% burns, she was later rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries on July 14 at 11:46 PM. Following public and political outrage, both the accused HoD and college principal were arrested.
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