The recent death of a 20-year-old student at the prestigious Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore has brought the issue of campus sexual harassment and student protection firmly into public focus in Odisha. The student, enrolled in the integrated BEd program, succumbed to critical burn injuries on July 14, 2025. Just days before her death, the young woman had set herself on fire on campus after alleging sexual harassment by the Head of her department and claiming that the college ignored her repeated pleas for help. The incident sparked protests from students and a larger debate on the safety and sensitivity of redressal mechanisms at institutions across the state.
College Inquiry and Crime Branch Findings
The Odisha Crime Branch, appointed to probe the high-profile case, revealed that the student’s complaint of sexual harassment was examined by the college’s internal enquiry committee prior to the tragic incident. According to the Crime Branch Director General, Vinaytosh Mishra, the college did follow procedural norms by forming an Internal Complaints Committee to look into the allegations, reported The Hindu. After investigating the claims, the college committee concluded that her complaint could not be substantiated, stating there was no firm evidence to support the allegations against the department head. The committee’s findings were a source of immense distress for the student and played a crucial role in leading to her extreme action.
Investigation Details and Evidence
The Crime Branch has gone on record to state that there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of those involved. Witness statements presented to the college enquiry committee, later revised or expanded in police records and social media posts, showed significant contradictions. The Crime Branch is analyzing forensic and digital evidence, including CCTV footage and online activity, to map the sequence of events and determine whether there was external provocation or abetment in the student’s fatal decision. Authorities have confirmed that they are reviewing all available testimonies and electronic evidence to identify where failures occurred—in the system or in the process of institutional support.
The student herself did not formally file a police complaint, though the principal of the college is reported to have discussed the matter with local police authorities before the incident. In the aftermath, the accused department head, as well as the college principal at the time, was arrested under relevant charges including abetment to suicide and intimidation.
Family, Community, and Public Response
The victim’s family has been outspoken in their criticism of the college and its internal inquiry, alleging that the committee’s report was biased and dismissive. They believe that a more robust, fair response at the institutional level could have averted the tragedy. Friends and some classmates of the student have revealed that she felt deeply isolated as her peers, under pressure, reportedly sided with the college administration or remained silent.
Across Odisha, the case has galvanized campus protests and drawn attention from a range of civil society organizations and women’s rights groups. Students demand greater sensitivity, reliable protocol, and secure grievance redressal systems for those facing harassment or discrimination on campus.
Parallel Investigations and Institutional Accountability
In addition to the Crime Branch probe, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and a high-level team from the state education department have begun independent investigations to examine how the college handled the initial complaint and whether due process and student welfare standards were maintained. Officials indicate that accountability will be enforced at every level if negligence or willful suppression of facts is proven. The state government’s response—both in legal measures and calls for policy review—reflects the urgency of addressing such lapses to protect student safety and uphold public trust in college governance.
The Broader Impact and Way Forward
The Odisha self-immolation case has triggered a much-needed conversation on the urgent need for transparent, student-friendly mechanisms to handle sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions. This tragedy has exposed systemic vulnerabilities, the need for timely intervention by authorities, and the hazards of neglecting students’ voices in campus governance. Going forward, institutions across Odisha and India will face increasing scrutiny on their ability to provide sensitive, effective support to victims of harassment and to ensure such heart-breaking events are not repeated.
Photo Credit: The Hindu
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