Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, passed away on July 14 after attempting self-immolation due to alleged harassment by a professor. She was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar with severe burn injuries. The student was cremated in her ancestral village of Palashia today.
Incident Details:
- Soumyashree alleged repeated harassment by Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu, Head of the Education Department.
- Despite lodging complaints with the college administration and police, no action was taken, leading to her extreme decision.
- The student had met the college principal and filed a complaint against the accused professor, but her pleas were ignored.
Government Response:
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the family of the deceased student from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
- The CM assured strict action against those responsible, stating, "All those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law."
- The government has initiated disciplinary and legal proceedings against the accused professor and the college principal.
Arrests and Investigation:
- Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu and college principal Dilip Ghose have been arrested in connection with the incident.
- A probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.