Family Blames Ragging For Girl Student’s Death In Odisha’s Bhawanipatna

Bhawanipatna: Family members of a Plus II first-year girl student, who was found hanging in her hostel bathroom in Odisha’s Bhawanipatna town on December 19, have blamed frequent ragging and mistreatment by seniors for her untimely death.

According to sources, Tofali Naik, a native of Birikote village under Thuamul Rampur block of Kalahandi district, was studying in Commerce stream and staying at Indravati girls hostel on the campus of Maa Manikeswari University here.

Her father Ramchandra Naik on Monday said Tofali had spoken to them a day before her death. “She mentioned about a dispute between her and some seniors over a missing mobile phone in the hostel,” he claimed, demanding a thorough investigation.

Ramchandra alleged that she was humiliated and mentally tortured by her seniors, which prompted her to end her life.

He further claimed that a male student had threatened Tofali outside her near the hostel main gate. “The incident was even captured in a CCTV camera,” he added.

Bhawanipatna MLA Sagar Charan Das admitted having seen the CCTV footage. “Tofali appeared upset and disturbed after being harassed for nearly half an hour. An outsider was also seen threatening her near the hostel gate,” he told the media

The MLA said he would take up the case with higher officials and ensure an impartial probe into the matter.

Bhawanipatna SDPO A Mane said that prima facia it appeared to be a case of death by suicide. “Postmortem has been conducted and further probe into the matter is underway,” he added.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed on the university premises with parents of several girl students expressing concern over safety and security of their wards.