- By Shibra Arshad
- Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:57 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A political row has broken out in Odisha after a 20-year-old student attempted self-immolation in a government college campus in Balasore on Saturday. The student who suffered 90 per cent burns on her body alleged that she was sexually abused by a teacher and decided to take her life publicly after her complaints were ignored by authorities.
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, on Sunday said that he has discussed with his staff to hold a meeting with doctors of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi regarding the future course of treatment of the girl.
The victim is being treated in the Bhubaneswar AIIMS, and the Chief Minister, along with Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, met the victim at Bhubaneswar AIIMS on Sunday.
According to a report by ANI, the state government has made enough arrangements to airlift the student to Delhi if needed.
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CM Assures Action Against Offender
“The student is receiving treatment at Bhubaneswar AIIMS. Her condition is very critical, and a medical team has been assembled to provide her care. She is being treated according to the protocols of Delhi AIIMS. Today, I discussed with the team how to hold a virtual meeting with doctors at Delhi AIIMS. The meeting will focus on enhancing treatment and exploring possibilities for further improvement,” CM Majhi told media persons on Sunday.
The Chief Minister has assured that the Higher Education Department's investigation committee will thoroughly probe the incident. Exemplary action will be taken against those found guilty once the committee submits its report
The victim's condition showed slight improvement, prompting her transfer to the ICU, where a team of 10 specialist doctors is providing treatment. While external injuries are apparent, the full extent of internal damage will only be known once test reports are available. Inhaling hot smoke during the self-immolation attempt has disrupted her breathing, and dialysis was initiated on Sunday evening. Low blood pressure has taken a toll on her heart, and efforts are now focused on stabilising her condition.
What Is The Case
A student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College attempted self-immolation on Saturday, protesting alleged sexual harassment by an assistant professor, Samira Kumar Sahu.
In response, the Odisha Higher Education Department swiftly formed an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. Sahu was subsequently arrested by the Balasore police.
According to Balasore SP Raj Prasad, the police have established prima facie evidence against the teacher. “In the case of a female student who attempted self-immolation, prima facie evidence has been established against a teacher. He has been arrested and forwarded to the court. This student had lodged a complaint with the Internal Compliance Committee on 30th June. We are enquiring about the findings of their report. Whoever is found guilty, accountability will be fixed for them,” he said.