Balasore FM College case: Will quit politics if proven guilty, says MP Pratap Sarangi denying allegations

BJP MP Pratap Sarangi denies allegations of political pressure in the Balasore FM College student self-immolation case, challenges critics to prove wrongdoing, and offers to quit politics if guilty. Crime Branch finds CCTV footage of a woman buying petrol.

Balasore FM College case: Will quit politics if proven guilty, says MP Pratap Sarangi denying allega

MP Pratap Sarangi (L), Family of the victim mourning her death (R)

time

Amid growing political heat over the self-immolation and subsequent death of a student in Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi on Saturday firmly denied allegations of political pressure and challenged opponents to prove wrongdoing, even offering to quit politics if found guilty.

Speaking at a press conference, the BJP MP confirmed that he had spoken to the Principal of FM College soon after the girl’s initial complaint. “The Principal had assured me that a report would be submitted within seven days,” Sarangi said.

Sarangi Rejects Allegations, Seeks Proof

Sarangi also stated that he had held multiple conversations with the Superintendent of Police (SP) regarding the matter and had suggested a thorough re-investigation.

However, he pointed out that the student did not file any formal police complaint, which might have allowed quicker intervention.

Challenging his critics, Sarangi said, “If anyone claims I exerted pressure on the student or obstructed justice, let them file an FIR against me or demand a CBI inquiry. If proven guilty, I will retire from politics.”

His comments come at a time when opposition parties have demanded accountability in the handling of the case and taken to multiple protests, including an Odisha Bandh on July 17.

Crime Branch Secures CCTV Clue

Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team investigating the July 12 incident has discovered CCTV footage from a petrol pump near the college, showing a woman purchasing one litre of petrol in a plastic bottle on the morning of the tragedy.

According to investigators, the woman walked to the pump and was recorded on surveillance cameras. One petrol station employee confirmed, “Yes, a lady came and bought petrol in a bottle. We didn’t know her identity, and we realise now that selling fuel in a bottle was a mistake.”

The footage is undergoing forensic analysis to establish whether the woman seen in the video is indeed the deceased student or someone else.

Investigators are also trying to determine whether the petrol was directly linked to the self-immolation or if it points to a broader conspiracy.

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