Odisha Student Self‑Immolates at College Gate After HOD’s Sexual Harassment Demands, Video Footage Surfaced

Odisha (The Uttam Hindu): A shocking incident has come to light from Balasore district of Odisha, where a college student set herself on fire after being fed up with the constant harassment and demands of sex by her Head of Department (HOD). The student has suffered 95% burns and her condition remains very critical. Another student also suffered 70% burns while trying to save her.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the accused head of the department has been arrested. The Higher Education Department has suspended both the accused HOD and the college principal. State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, "Strictest action will be taken against the culprits."

According to the information, a student of Integrated B.Ed at Fakir Mohan College had lodged a complaint against her department head Samir Kumar Sahu with the college's Internal Complaints Committee on July 1. The student had alleged that Sahu was constantly pressuring her for "wrong demands" and was threatening to ruin her future if the demand was not met.

Sources say that the student was assured of action within seven days, but when no action was taken, on Saturday the student along with other students started protesting outside the college gate. During this, she suddenly got up and went near the principal's office and poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire.

A video of the incident has also surfaced, in which the student is seen running in the college corridor surrounded by flames. A student tries to help her, but he steps back after his T-shirt catches fire.

College principal Dilip Ghosh said a complaint had been lodged and the internal committee was in the process of submitting a report. Balasore Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj Prasad said, "The accused teacher has been arrested. Several teams are gathering evidence. Whoever is found guilty will not be spared."

Currently, both the girl student who committed suicide and the student who saved her are being treated at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, where their condition is said to be critical. After the incident, there is an atmosphere of tension in the college and there is a lot of anger among the students.