TV
In a significant development, Education Department HOD Sameer Sahoo was arrested and the Principal of FM Autonomous College in Balasore was suspended after a female student attempted self-immolation in front of the college gate on Saturday, allegedly over prolonged harassment by a senior faculty member and institutional neglect of her complaints.
The Higher Education Department reportedly took disciplinary action against Principal Dillip Ghosh and Education Department HOD Sameer Sahoo.
Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj confirmed the suspensions and informed about the steps being taken by the department in response to the incident.
According to police sources, Sameer was earlier detained and questioned by Sahadevkhunta Police in connection with the incident.
The student had earlier staged a protest in front of the college, accusing mental harassment by the Head of the Education Department. In a sudden turn of events, she attempted to end her life by setting herself ablaze. She was immediately rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained over 90% burns, and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
Another female student who tried to rescue her also sustained injuries during the incident.
Police have launched an investigation, and further details are awaited. The situation has sparked outrage among students and the local community, with calls for strict action against those responsible.
Sources cited students present at the spot claimed that the teacher demanded inappropriate favours and threatened to destroy her academic future if she refused.
"The state government has taken the matter seriously, and the Principal of the college and the HOD have been suspended immediately. The HOD has been taken into police custody and forwarded to the court. A committee has been formed comprising a Joint Secretary-level woman officer and a senior woman principal of another college under the chairmanship of the Director of the department to launch an inquiry into the incident. Following the suspension, stern actions will be taken against the culprits after the completion of the inquiry so that these kinds of incidents will not occur in future again. I will discuss with the authorities of AIIMS Bhubaneswar for the speedy and advanced treatment of the student. I have also discussed the matter with the Chief Minister," said Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
"We have already started an investigation into the incident from all aspects. We are also investigating the report of the internal complaint committee submitted to the principal. The accused teacher has been arrested, and we have already started the forensic investigation. The student who attempted self-immolation is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Her condition is stated to be critical. We are also finding out if others have any links with the incident. Multiple teams have been formed for multiple parts of the investigation. We are hopeful of reaching the conclusion soon," said Balasore SP Raj Prasad.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has decided to bear all the treatment cost of the victim till recovery. Further, the government will also bear the accommodation cost of the family members of the victim who have been accommodated in a Dharmasala nearer to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
