Odisha Tragedy: 22-Year-Old Student Dies After Self-Immolation Over Unresolved Harassment Complaint
A 22-year-old student in Odisha has tragically died after setting herself on fire over alleged police inaction on her harassment complaint. The shocking self-immolation incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice
A woman college student in Odisha who attempted self-immolation after allegedly enduring prolonged sexual harassment died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar on Monday night.
The 20-year-old, who was pursuing B. Ed. at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, set herself ablaze on campus after her repeated complaints of sexual harassment by her Head of Department allegedly went unaddressed by the principal and college authorities. She had been battling for her life after sustaining 90 per cent burns.
The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the student was brought to the casualty on July 12 after being referred from the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his grief and pledged strict action against the perpetrators. “
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from FM Autonomous College,” Majhi posted on X. “Despite the government’s fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim’s life could not be saved.”
The Chief Minister also assured the victim’s family of unwavering support and justice. “All those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family,” he said.
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 on Saturday. Her father blamed the principal for the plight of his daughter, while her mother demanded capital punishment for the culprits.
The principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Dillip Kumar Ghosh, was arrested following the student’s attempted self-immolation. A local court sent him to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the case.
Amid outrage over the incident, the ruling BJP faced heat from opposition parties, who held protests in Bhubaneswar and Balasore and blamed the government for failing to ensure women’s safety in the state.
In a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves across the country, a 22-year-old female student from Odisha succumbed to her burn injuries after allegedly setting herself on fire in protest against police inaction on her harassment complaint. The incident occurred in the Bargarh district and has triggered widespread outrage, protests, and calls for accountability from law enforcement and educational institutions alike.
According to officials, the young woman, a final-year undergraduate student at a government college in Bargarh, doused herself in kerosene and set herself ablaze outside her residence on July 10. She suffered over 80% burn injuries and was rushed to the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla for treatment. Despite doctors’ best efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on the night of July 13.
In her dying declaration and statements made earlier, the victim had reportedly mentioned that she had filed a complaint months ago against a male classmate and two of his associates who had been harassing her consistently. Despite repeated pleas to both college authorities and the local police, no concrete action was taken.
Family members stated that the girl had been facing mental agony due to the constant harassment and humiliation, both online and in person. Her father alleged that the accused had been stalking her and even sharing morphed photos on social media platforms.
“We went to the police station three times. My daughter was crying every day, begging for help. The police kept saying they were ‘looking into the matter,’ but nothing happened. She felt utterly hopeless,” her father told reporters, struggling to hold back tears.
Local sources claim the accused belonged to an influential family, which may have contributed to the alleged delay in police action. The victim’s mother said the girl had been severely depressed over the past few weeks and had even stopped attending college.
Following her self-immolation and hospitalization, an FIR was finally registered under sections related to criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, and abetment to suicide. However, no arrests were made until after her death.
Bargarh Superintendent of Police Nitin Kusalkar addressed a press conference on July 14, confirming that three individuals have now been taken into custody. “We have launched a full-scale investigation into the matter. If any lapses are found within the department, strict action will be taken,” Kusalkar stated.
However, the delayed response from the police department has come under severe criticism, with many accusing them of negligence and being complicit through inaction.
The victim’s friends and classmates have also criticized the college administration, alleging that they failed to take disciplinary action against the accused students. According to multiple student accounts, the victim had complained to a female faculty member several times, but her concerns were brushed aside.
“She had submitted a written complaint and even provided screenshots of the online abuse. But she was told not to ‘overreact’ and to ‘focus on her studies.’ This apathy from the college pushed her to the brink,” said a fellow student, who wished to remain anonymous.
The death has ignited protests across the Bargarh district, with student unions, women’s rights activists, and local political groups taking to the streets demanding justice. Protesters gathered outside the Bargarh police station and blocked key roads, chanting slogans such as “We want justice” and “Punish the guilty.”
In Bhubaneswar, members of the Odisha Students’ Federation (OSF) staged a candlelight march, demanding an independent inquiry and suspension of the police officers involved in the case. “This is not just a tragedy; it is a gross failure of our justice system. How many more daughters must die before the system responds?” questioned OSF president Subhashree Panda.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation. “This is an extremely painful incident. I have instructed the DGP to ensure an impartial and time-bound investigation. The culprits will be brought to justice,” Patnaik said in a statement released on July 14.
Opposition parties, including the BJP and Congress, however, have not spared the ruling BJD government. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted, “Another young life lost because our systems failed her. This incident reflects the complete breakdown of law and order in Odisha. Shameful and heartbreaking.”
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and has sought a detailed report from the Odisha DGP within 48 hours. NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma said the commission would also be sending a team to Bargarh to speak to the family and ensure justice is delivered.
“We are closely watching this case. No girl in India should ever feel that her cries for help will be ignored. Accountability must start at the police station level,” Sharma said.
Legal experts believe the case highlights systemic failures and the urgent need for reforms in how harassment cases, especially those involving women, are handled by police and academic institutions.
“Every harassment complaint should be treated as a potential precursor to violence. When authorities fail to act, they are not just neglecting duty—they are enabling harm,” said senior advocate Vrinda Grover.
Human rights groups like Amnesty International and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) have also condemned the incident and called for an audit of pending harassment cases across Odisha.
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