TV
In a significant development in the tragic death case of a girl student from Fakir Mohan (FM) College in Balasore, the Crime Branch has intensified its investigation to ascertain how the inflammable substance reached the victim.
According to sources, whether the girl procured petrol herself or someone else brought it for her remains a key angle under scrutiny.
Sources reveal that the Crime Branch team has been conducting a detailed probe at a petrol pump near the college. The officials have seized the CCTV hard disk and interrogated the petrol pump manager along with several staff members. Investigators are examining surveillance footage to trace any possible transaction linked to the incident.
On the other hand, a team of senior officials, including IG S Saini and the investigating officer, visited the college campus on Thursday. They interacted with students and college authorities to gather more information about the events on the day of the incident.
Another two-member Crime Branch team reached SCB Medical College and Hospital’s plastic surgery department to meet eyewitness and injured student Jyoti Prakash Biswal.
He reportedly provided a detailed account of how the incident unfolded and how the girl caught fire. The officials also consulted the doctors treating him to understand the extent and nature of injuries.
The Crime Branch may revisit the college premises for a more extensive inquiry today.
What had happened?
A student of FM College had accused her Head of Department of repeated harassment. Despite filing complaints with the college authorities and internal committee, no action was allegedly taken.
In a desperate act of protest, she attempted self-immolation outside the college Principal’s office on July 12. She sustained over 90% burn injuries and was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition.
After battling for her life, she succumbed to her injuries on July 14, sparking statewide outrage and demands for justice.
