Odisha college student critically injured after attempted self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment by professor

A female student pursuing an integrated Bachelor of Education course at the state-run Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore attempted self-immolation on campus, allegedly distressed over continued sexual harassment by a senior faculty member.

The student poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze in full public view. Bystanders rushed to douse the flames and rescue her. However, she sustained 90 per cent burn injuries and was shifted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar in critical condition. The shocking incident has triggered widespread outrage across the state.

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According to sources, the victim had previously lodged a formal complaint with college authorities, accusing Assistant Professor Samira Kumar Sahu of sexual harassment. However, her allegations were reportedly ignored, leading to severe emotional distress.

In a swift response, the State’s Higher Education Department suspended the accused faculty member with immediate effect. The suspension order reads: “Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor (Stage-I) in Educational Studies, Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore is hereby placed under suspension under sub-rule (2) of Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962 with immediate effect.”

Local police have since detained Sahu and are interrogating him to understand the events that may have led the student to take such an extreme step.

Sources revealed that the student had informed college authorities that the professor made sexually suggestive remarks and threatened to sabotage her academic career when she rejected his advances. Despite raising the issue with both college officials and local police, she reportedly received no substantive support or redress.

Fakir Mohan College Principal Dilip Ghosh confirmed that the student had met him earlier that day, expressing serious mental anguish and requesting intervention.

“After counseling, I called both the student and the faculty member to my office. While the assistant professor denied the allegations, the student stood by her complaint. Just moments after our meeting, we heard screams. She had set herself on fire,” Ghosh said.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter. The condition of the student remains critical.