Odisha: Opposition warns to raise BJB girl suicide case in Assembly

The suicide case of a Plus 3 girl student of BJB Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar is set to echo in the Odisha Assembly with the Opposition planning to raise the issue in the ongoing monsoon session.

Opposition Chief Whip in Odisha Assembly, Mohan Charan Majhi said,“Prior to the recent suicide of a girl student at BJB College, two similar incidents had happened in the past." 

"Frequent occurrence of such incidents and silence of the government and no probe by the Home department demonstrate the failure of the government in controlling the law and order situation,” he added.

On the other hand, the State unit of Congress party demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and arrest of the culprits.

“The girl was subjected to torture which drove her to suicide. A probe must be conducted into the matter. We will raise the issue in the Assembly. The culprits must be arrested and handed down stringent punishment so that no one dares to involve in ragging in any educational institute in the country,” said Congress MLA Suresh Routray.      

Meanwhile, a three-member panel led by an additional DCP is inquiring into the case. The team comprising Bhubaneswar ACP (zone-4) Paresh Kumar Rout, Baragada police station in-charge and a sub-inspector is questioning all 134 inmates of the hostel.

The probe team will bring the college staff, hostel superintendent and warden under the purview of the investigation.

Notably, Ruchika Mohanty, a Plus 3 first-year History (Hons) student of BJB College was found hanging in her room in Karubaki Hostel of the College on Saturday.  

Later, a purported suicide note was recovered in which the victim stated that she ended her life after being harassed by three senior students. 

The identity of the three seniors against whom the allegations were levelled are yet to be established.