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NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Odisha College Horror Victim's Friend Reveals Months Of Abuse, Harassment
Bhubaneswar: The 20-year-old student in Odisha who set herself on fire, alleging sexual harassment by her college professor, had confided in her friends about what she was going through months before her death. According to a friend of the victim, who spoke to NDTV, the Fakir Mohan College student had been experiencing mental and academic harassment by her Head of Department, Samir Kumar Sahu, for several months. "A few months ago, she confided in me that she was being harassed by her HoD. She revealed that the HOD was deliberately failing her and refusing to clear her backlogs. At that time, she did not want me or anyone else to intervene. However, on June 30th, she gathered us to confront the principal and demand serious action against the HoD, as she was being harassed in class. She told us that the HoD had misbehaved with her in front of others and had blackmailed her, threatening to trap her in this situation at the college for six long years," the friend told NDTV. According to the friend, on June 30, the student, who was in her second year of the integrated course, attempted to mobilise support among her classmates. She wanted a group of them to jointly approach the college principal and demand action against the HoD. The students approached Fakir Mohan College principal Dilip Ghose that day. "The principal said decision-making is a process and asked for more time," the friend said. Twelve days later, the situation escalated. The student again wanted to approach the principal to push for a resolution. However, the campus was crowded due to ongoing admissions. During a 20-minute lunch break, she was left briefly alone. "During lunchtime, we left the campus for about 20 minutes, and in that short time, we received a call informing us that she had been provoked to undergo an 'Agni Pariksha'. I use this term because I believe the principal must have said something that deeply hurt her, pushing her to take such a drastic step. She was completely broken, drained, and exhausted from fighting for justice," the friend told NDTV. The student poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the principal's office. A fellow student, Jyotiranjan Biswal, attempted to rescue her and suffered 15 per cent burn injuries. The victim, however, sustained 95 per cent burns and died on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. According to the friend's account, after the initial complaint against Sahu, the HoD allegedly mobilised the support of nearly 300 students to defend himself, while only 15-20 students stood by the victim. "The HoD manipulated around 300 students to support him. He persuaded nearly 100 students to turn against her. As an active member of the ABVP, she was used as a political tool before the upcoming elections. These students assassinated her character, writing an application to the principal that questioned her integrity and raised accusations against her. Ironically, the same opposition now speaks of justice," the friend told NDTV. Two college officials -- HoD Samir Kumar Sahu and principal Dilip Ghose -- have been arrested on charges including abetment to suicide, sexual harassment, stalking, and outraging the modesty of a woman. Separately, the state government has formed a three-member inquiry panel to probe the case.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
‘Organised murder by system': What led to Odisha college student's self-immolation? 10 things to know
The tragic death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore has triggered widespread outrage across Odisha and the nation. The student, who set herself ablaze on campus after allegedly being ignored over a complaint of sexual harassment by a professor, died on July 14, at AIIMS Bhubaneswar with 95% burn injuries. Her final days, spent pleading with college authorities, ministers and police, have sparked protests, arrests, and fierce political clashes. While the Odisha government has promised strict punishment, opposition parties have accused it of a coverup and demanded the resignation of the Higher Education Minister and Chief Minister. Here are 10 things to know about the Balasore case: Student succumbs to burns after harassment complaint ignored A 20-year-old second-year student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14 after suffering 95% burns. She had set herself ablaze on campus on July 13, alleging that her complaint of sexual harassment by a professor was ignored. 'Despite adequate resuscitation... she could not be revived,' AIIMS said in a statement. Professor and principal arrested Police have arrested the college principal, Dilip Ghose, and the head of the Department of Education, Samira Kumar Sahu. The principal allegedly asked her to withdraw her complaint after the Internal Complaints Committee gave a clean chit to the professor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo The student's father and local MP Pratap Sarangi held Ghose responsible for protecting the accused. Nationwide outrage: Rahul Gandhi calls it 'organised murder' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government: 'This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system. Modi ji... India's daughters need safety and justice.' He said the victim had raised her voice against sexual abuse but was 'threatened, harassed, and repeatedly humiliated.' Governor steps in, seeks detailed report from govt Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who also serves as the chancellor of state universities, has demanded a full report from the Odisha government detailing the events leading to the student's suicide attempt. In a post on X, he said he had spoken to Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryabanshi, who assured him that the matter was being taken seriously. 'I have urged the authorities to act with urgency, empathy, and responsibility to prevent such incidents in the future,' the governor wrote, after also speaking with AIIMS Bhubaneswar officials. Opposition protests: BJP under fire Congress and BJD leaders accused the BJP-led state government of attempting a coverup. 'The government, with police help, wanted to quietly take away the body at night,' said Congress leader Yashir Nawaz. Elina Dash of BJD alleged the official death announcement was delayed to coincide with President Murmu's visit. BJD MLA Snehangini Chhuria sharply criticised the government over the student's death, saying the Centre's slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' has tragically turned into 'Beti Padhao, Beti Jalao' in Odisha. 'No one listened to the victim, which is why she chose to self-immolate,' Chhuria said, calling the incident a glaring example of the deteriorating safety of women in the state. Postmortem triggers controversy The postmortem was conducted at 2am at AIIMS, sparking protests. Opposition leaders claimed it was done to suppress evidence. Police had to forcibly remove protesters blocking the ambulance. 'They staged the entire drama because the President was going to come,' BJD's Elina Dash said. Mother questions version of events The student's mother demanded capital punishment for the culprits. 'I have doubts whether my daughter set herself on fire or someone else did it,' she said. The family also raised concerns over why no protection was provided, even though the victim was an ABVP leader. Safety and surveillance under review In response, the state government ordered all colleges and universities to enforce round-the-clock surveillance with CCTV and inhouse squad teams. A three member panel was set up to investigate the incident, leading to the arrests and suspensions at the college. Sudent warned of suicide in post days before self-immolation Days before she set herself on fire, the 20-year-old posted on X: 'If I don't get justice, I will commit suicide.' She had created the account in June and on July 1 uploaded her complaint to the college's internal complaints committee, along with a photo of the meeting, the accused teacher's image, and tagged government and student union leaders. Her 46-year-old father said, 'He threatened she wouldn't clear her papers even in six years.' He added, 'After the complaint, the teacher formed a student group to target her.' The principal allegedly threatened rustication and ignored her pleas. 'My daughter is strong… I can't hold back tears remembering all this,' he said. Judicial inquiry, protests continue The Congress has demanded a judicial probe. Nationwide protests have erupted, and the victim's death has become a flashpoint for broader concerns over women's safety on campuses. 'We will not stop until the Higher Education Minister and the CM resign,' said Elina Dash, warning of districtwide demonstrations. (With agency inputs)
