FM College girl self-immolation case: Odisha govt vows ‘harshest of all punishments,’ forms high-level Committee

The Odisha government, on Saturday, launched a high-level investigation into the self-immolation attempt by a girl student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who is currently undergoing critical treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The incident, which has drawn widespread public attention, is being treated with utmost urgency by the state authorities, assured Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

He also added that an impartial three-member inquiry Committee has been formed to examine the circumstances that led to the incident and the role of college authorities and faculty members.

“The Odisha government is viewing the incident with utmost seriousness. We will ensure the strictest of punishments for anyone found guilty. It will be so harsh that in the future, no one will dare think of committing such a crime, let alone act on it,” Minister Suraj said in an interaction with the press.

High-Level Committee to Examine Five Key Dimensions

Sources reported that the government-appointed committee includes Higher Education Director Kaliprasanna Mahapatra (IAS), Joint Secretary of the Higher Education Department Mousumi Nayak, and Professor Jhumki Rath from BJB Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar.

The Committee will focus on five key areas, starting with the sequence of events and the environment that may have driven the student to attempt self-immolation.

It will then probe the nature of the alleged harassment and the extent of involvement of the College’s Education HOD Sameer Kumar Sahoo, and the response and accountability of the college Principal, administration, and internal complaint committee.

After, the Committee will ask whether any procedural or individual negligence contributed to the incident, and finally, it will look into whether any additional facts or incidents emerge during the investigation.

The Committee has been given full authority to consult individuals or access information as needed and will submit its findings to the Higher Education Department, reported sources.

Disciplinary Action Taken Amid Ongoing Investigation

In response to the incident, the Odisha government has suspended both Principal Dillip Ghosh and Education Department Head Sameer Kumar Sahoo.

Police have also arrested Sahoo, who is currently in custody as part of a broader forensic and administrative investigation.

Preliminary reports suggest that the internal complaint committee formed earlier by the college lacked impartiality, as it excluded student representatives and comprised only faculty members, some of whom were allegedly close to the accused.

Victim’s Condition Remains Critical

Meanwhile, the student, who attempted to set herself on fire during a protest outside the college, sustained over 90 percent burn injuries and remains on ventilator support at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

A team of 12 doctors is attending to her condition. Medical officials have ruled out airlifting her due to the severity of her injuries, though the state government had made necessary arrangements.