A harrowing incident in Odisha, India, has sparked national outrage after a female university student attempted suicide by setting herself on fire—allegedly due to the failure of college authorities to act on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor.
The victim, a student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, is now fighting for her life at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar, with reports indicating that she suffered deep burn injuries over 90% of her body.
Professor Allegedly Demanded Sexual Favours
The student had formally lodged a complaint on July 1 against assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu, accusing him of persistently demanding sexual favours and threatening to derail her academic career if she refused. Despite assurances from the college that action would be taken within a week, no tangible progress was made.
An internal investigation committee formed by the college claimed to have found no evidence of wrongdoing. However, several students and classmates criticised the inquiry, calling it a “sham” and accusing the panel of protecting the accused.
The student, reportedly in deep emotional distress, also approached local police and even met Member of Parliament Pratap Sarangi in search of justice. Despite these efforts, she allegedly felt ignored and cornered.
Protest Turns Tragic as Student Self-Immolates
On July 12, the student joined a peaceful protest with fellow classmates outside the college gates. In a shocking turn, she suddenly ran towards the principal’s office and set herself on fire. CCTV footage showed her engulfed in flames, sprinting through the corridor while onlookers struggled to extinguish the blaze.
Two male students who attempted to save her also sustained burn injuries and are receiving treatment.
According to AIIMS Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas, the victim’s condition remains critical, with severe damage to her respiratory system and kidneys. She is currently on advanced life support.
College Principal Suspended, Professor Arrested
Following the incident, authorities have moved swiftly to take corrective action. Professor Sahu was arrested within hours, and college principal Dilip Ghosh was suspended for negligence. Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced that a high-level inquiry committee has been established, with further actions pending the outcome of the investigation.
Public Demands Accountability and Justice
The student’s brother has publicly condemned the college’s handling of the complaint, stating that the situation could have been avoided if the authorities had taken the matter seriously from the start. “I will not spare anyone. There has to be a free and fair probe,” he told Indian media.
MP Sarangi, who had previously engaged with the student, also expressed deep regret and questioned the impartiality of the college’s internal committee. “The committee is biased and appears to be shielding the head of department,” he said.
Growing Calls for Reforms in University Complaint Handling
This incident has reignited debates in India over how academic institutions handle sexual harassment complaints. Many are calling for independent oversight bodies, transparent investigations, and stronger legal protections for students who speak up.
While justice for the victim remains uncertain, her story has already become a powerful symbol of the systemic failures faced by many women in educational institutions. The Indian public continues to monitor the case closely, demanding accountability, reforms, and—most importantly—justice.