FM College tragedy: From alleged harassment to self-immolation and a fight for life…

The girl student, who set herself ablaze outside Fakir Mohan Autonomous College principal’s chamber in Balasore on July 12, is undergoing treatment in AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Her condition is still critical. She has sustained 90–95% burn injuries, many of which are deep and have reportedly caused serious internal damage, affecting her kidneys and respiratory system. 

According to the doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the student’s respiratory system and renal function are severely compromised due to the intensity of the burns. The damage from fire-related inhalation has further complicated her condition. Extensive damage to the skin, respiratory tract, and internal organs has posed life-threatening complications, including infection and organ failure.

In view of her critical state, an eight-member medical panel comprising specialists from critical care, nephrology, surgery, pulmonology, and anaesthesia have been formed at AIIMS for round-the-clock monitoring. Measures are also being taken to prevent sepsis and to maintain organ function artificially as long as possible.

Why Did The Student Attempt Self-Immolation?

The girl student attempted self-immolation allegedly following prolonged harassment by a senior faculty member and institutional neglect of her complaints. According to eyewitnesses and fellow students, the victim poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze during a protest outside the college, alleging mental harassment by the Head of the Education Department, Sameer Ranjan Sahoo.

The victim was immediately rushed to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she had sustained over 90% burns. After being administered primary care, she was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

As per the allegations, the teacher demanded inappropriate favours and threatened to destroy her academic future if she refused. The matter was brought to the notice of the college authorities, and an internal committee was formed. However, students accused the college of shielding the culprits and of a conspiracy. They alleged that earlier complaints made by the victim were mishandled by the college.

Students' Demand & Disciplinary Action So Far

Outraged by the incident, students called for the immediate arrest of the accused and a fair, independent investigation. Many also demanded government accountability for ensuring the girl’s survival and for action against those who neglected her complaint.

Subsequently, the Higher Education Department took disciplinary action against Principal Dillip Ghosh and Education Department HOD Sameer Sahoo, who was arrested while Ghosh was suspended. Sahoo was earlier detained and questioned by the Sahadevkhunta Police in connection with the incident.

The Odisha government announced that it will bear the treatment cost of the victim till recovery. The government also announced to bear the accommodation cost of the family members of the victim who are accommodated in a Dharmasala nearer to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

Allegation By The Girl's Father

The victim's father made serious allegations against the college administration and a senior faculty member. He claimed that his daughter was mentally tortured, threatened with expulsion, and wrongfully blamed for filing a harassment complaint. 

Shockingly, he also alleged that the accused HOD of Education had threatened his daughter with six years of backlog if she did not take back her allegations against him. The student was allegedly harassed and coerced by college authorities to withdraw her complaint against HOD Sahoo. She was allegedly told that if she did not retract the complaint, she would be expelled from the college.

Odisha Govt Formed High-Level Committee For Probe

The Odisha government announced a high-level investigation into the incident. 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 committee is investigating specific allegations of torture and evaluating the role of the college administration, including the principal and the internal complaint committee. A major part of the probe focuses on the alleged involvement of Assistant Professor Sameer Kumar Sahoo. Questions have been raised about his conduct and possible role in the series of events that led to the student’s mental breakdown.

Odisha Govt’s Response

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi returned from his Delhi visit and headed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar to review the medical condition of the student on Sunday. The CM then assured that strict action would be taken following the inquiry report, and that the government would prioritize eliminating harassment and ragging in educational institutions across the state. 

Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Sunday, where they interacted with the family members of the victim and the medical team.

Opposition’s Protest In Bhubaneswar

Members of the Opposition BJD and Congress hit the streets in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, protesting alleged inaction by the government in ensuring swift justice and safety at colleges across the state. They also alleged that the educational institutions’ campuses are not safe in Odisha anymore.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik wrote to Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, seeking his intervention over the matter. Naveen urged the Odisha Governor in his capacity as Chancellor of state universities, to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim.

Patnaik alleged that the FM College girl was denied justice, despite repeatedly voicing her grievances from the College Principal to the Higher Education Minister and right up to the Union Minister and the Chief Minister.

Latest Health Update Of FM College Girl

The health condition of the victim continues to remain critical at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The medical authorities on Monday confirmed that the victim is now undergoing dialysis, as her kidney function has deteriorated significantly.

According to AIIMS Bhubaneswar officials, the dialysis is being carried out in consultation with experts from AIIMS Delhi via video conferencing. Hospital sources further informed that her potassium levels had dropped dangerously low, prompting the administration of essential vitamins and micronutrients.