Odisha student self-immolates over HoD’s sexual harassment; claims threats to ruin grades; battling for life
A woman undergraduate student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, is in critical condition after attempting self-immolation in protest against alleged prolonged sexual harassment by her teacher and the college’s failure to act.
The student, enrolled in the Integrated B Ed course, suffered over 90% burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Another student who tried to save her also sustained serious burns.
According to her batchmates, the woman had been under severe mental distress for weeks, reportedly due to repeated inappropriate advances and threats made by Sameer Kumar Sahoo, Head of the Integrated B Ed Department. Students claimed the teacher pressured her and warned of academic consequences if she did not comply.
Despite allegedly filing formal complaints with both the college principal and local police, no effective action was taken. Though an internal complaints committee was set up, students say it failed to deliver results. The incident occurred shortly after the student met the college principal in his office.
Following the tragic incident, the Odisha Higher Education Department has initiated disciplinary measures: the accused teacher, Sameer Sahoo, has been arrested, and the college principal, Dillip Kumar Ghosh, has been suspended.
Confirming these steps, Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, “The state government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness. A high-level inquiry has been launched, led by the department’s Director, along with a Joint Secretary-level woman officer and a senior woman principal from another college.”
The minister added that he had spoken to AIIMS Bhubaneswar officials to ensure the student receives advanced care and had also discussed the matter with the Chief Minister. He assured strict action would be taken based on the inquiry findings.
Balasore Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad confirmed the arrest of Sameer Sahoo and said he had been presented before the court. “We have formed multiple investigation teams, engaged a forensic team, and are closely examining the college’s internal committee report. The student remains in critical condition, and we aim to conclude the investigation soon,” he added.
