Odisha Self-Immolation Case: Two More Arrests Linked To College Student's Death
Bhubaneshwar, Odisha: The Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two persons in connection a student’s death by self-immolation on the campus of F M Autonomous College, Balasore last month. The arrested people are linked to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student body of BJP. According to a senior official, the Crime Branch of the state police took the two into custody late on Sunday in connection with the death.
The girl’s suicide has evoked nationwide protest. The 20-year old set herself on fire as her sexual harassment complaint was “not validated” by an internal enquiry committee of the institute, the police has reported.
Also Read | Odisha Student Dies Battling Burns After Self-immolation Over Harassment Row
The girl has accused her teacher Samira Sahoo of harassing her. However, her repeated grievances left unheard. This led to her self-immolation on July 12, shortly after she left the Principal’s office. Two days later, she died at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, having sustained 95% burn injuries.
“The arrested persons are Jyoti Prakash Biswal, a student of the college, who had sustained burn injuries in an attempt to save the woman, and Subhra Sambait Nayak, the state joint secretary of a student organisation,” the officer told PTI.
Biswal was recently released from SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack after recovering from burn injuries. Both were taken into custody from their residences late on Sunday, the officer added.
Earlier arrests in this case included Samira Kumar Sahoo, an assistant professor, and Dillip Ghose, the college’s former principal.
Following the girl’s death, Opposition political parties attacked the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government for its failure to guarantee women’s safety in the State.
Also Read | Odisha Student Struggles With Mental Health After Self-immolation Attempt
The incident also casts doubts on the proper functioning of the internal complaint committees mandated under Internal Committee mandated under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH) and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.
(This news story may contain content related to suicide and suicidal behaviour. Such topics can be sensitive and may trigger emotional responses. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviours, we urge you to seek help immediately. Contact your local mental health crisis hotline, a mental health professional, or a trusted person in your life.
You may call 14416 or 1-8008914416 for the Tele MANAS service, which is available 24×7 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
