Odisha College Girl’s Death: Two Students Arrested for Pushing Her to Suicide

A 20-year-old student of FM Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha lost her life in a tragic incident after she set herself on fire on July 12, 2025. She died three days later, on July 15, at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she was admitted with 90% burn injuries. Her suicide has now turned into a serious case of criminal investigation involving students, teachers, and even college management.

When did this happen?

• July 1, 2025 – The student started a peaceful protest outside her college.
• July 12, 2025 – She attempted suicide by setting herself on fire.
• July 15, 2025 – She died in the hospital due to severe burns.
• Late July to August 1, 2025 – Multiple arrests were made as the Odisha Crime Branch investigated the case.

Who was the girl and what was she protesting about?

The girl was a second-year student at FM Autonomous College. She had filed multiple complaints against Assistant Professor Samira Kumar Sahoo, accusing him of sexual harassment and threatening to reduce her exam marks.

Despite raising her voice through official complaints and even letters, no strong action was taken by the college administration. This made her feel helpless and pushed her to start a peaceful sit-in protest outside the college gate starting July 1.

❗ What happened on the day of the incident?

On July 12, after nearly 12 days of protesting, the girl brought petrol and set herself on fire in front of the college gate. Shockingly, some students who were present recorded the incident on their phones instead of saving her.

According to Crime Branch findings, some people at the spot may have encouraged her, and even helped her carry out the act instead of stopping her. This deeply disturbing behavior is now part of the police investigation.

Who has been arrested and why?

So far, the Crime Branch of Odisha Police has arrested four individuals:

1. Shubhra Sambit Nayak – A student leader and joint secretary of a state-level student organization.
2. Jyotiprakash Biswal – A fellow student who was present during the incident and later hospitalized for burns.
3. Samira Kumar Sahoo – Assistant Professor accused of sexual harassment by the victim.
4. Dillip Ghose – Former Principal of FM College, who failed to act on the student’s complaints.

Shubhra and Jyotiprakash were arrested on July 28, and both are now in 14 days’ judicial custody. They face charges of criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide.

The authorities believe these students may have mentally pressured or influenced the victim into taking such an extreme step.

What evidence has been found so far?

• CCTV footage shows the girl setting herself on fire.
• Eyewitnesses and videos confirm that bystanders did not stop her.
• The girl’s earlier written complaints to the college against her professor and the administration show negligence.
• Hospital records confirm she suffered 90% burns and died three days later.

Why is this case important?

This incident shows how unsafe some students feel in their own colleges, especially when sexual harassment complaints are not taken seriously. It also raises questions about student politics, peer pressure, and administrative failure.

Even after clear warnings and complaints, the college failed to protect the victim. Instead, she had to stand in protest for days until she reached a breaking point.

What happens next?

• The Crime Branch has said the investigation is ongoing.
• More people may be arrested based on digital and forensic evidence.
• There is public demand for a state-level inquiry into how the college and police handled her complaints.
• Student unions, women’s groups, and activists are now calling for stronger protection laws in educational institutions.

Final Thoughts by Jan Jagran Darpan Editorial Team

This is not just a legal case—it is a failure of society, of systems, and of silence. A young life was lost because no one acted when they should have. At Jan Jagran Darpan, we believe that every student’s voice matters, and we will continue to follow this story until justice is delivered.

We urge authorities to:

• Ensure strict punishment for all those found guilty.
• Put in place stronger safety mechanisms in colleges.
• Set up mental health and legal support systems for students who raise their voice.

This time, justice must not be delayed.