FM College tragedy: Odisha Crime Branch zeroes in on critical leads

A two-member Crime Branch team on Monday continued probing the tragic suicide of a girl student by self-immolation at FM College in Balasore district. The investigation, now in its fifth day, includes questioning of faculty and staff as part of a deepening inquiry.

Also Read: Student politics or silent persecution? Mystery deepens over Odisha college girl’s death

According to sources, the investigation into the suicide of a female student at FM College has intensified, with a Crime Branch team arriving on campus today. This marks the fifth consecutive day of inquiries since the day of the incident.

The two-member team from the Crime Branch conducted questioning sessions with several individuals, including an acting professor (in-charge principal) and other staff members of the college, as part of efforts to uncover the circumstances that led to the tragic event.

The student’s death has sparked widespread concern and scrutiny, both within the college community and beyond. The State anti-crime agency is yet to release official findings, but the ongoing questioning suggests that multiple angles are being explored.

Crime Branch may continue its presence at the college over the coming days as it works to establish possible negligence, harassment, or other factors that could have contributed to the student's death.

Several vital leads and digital evidence have been collected. A proper probe is underway, the Crime Branch Director General (DG) Vinaytosh Mishra said in a presser yesterday.

“We have collected substantial evidence, and the detailed investigation is still in progress,” Mishra stated. He further added that some individuals who had earlier given statements have now changed their versions, adding a new twist to the ongoing probe.

“Our responsibility is to identify those who are directly or indirectly linked to the case. The number of witnesses in this case is many. Acting on a written complaint made by the girl, the college authorities had conducted a probe and found nothing against the accused, following which the incident occurred,” the senior cop had stated.

Reported By: Prakash Mohanty