Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the family of Soumyashree Bisi, who succumbed to burns sustained in a self-immolation bid at Fakir Mohan (FM) (Autonomous) College in Balasore during a protest against alleged sexual harassment by a senior faculty member on Saturday afternoon.
The amount will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The X post by the CMO office further stated that Majhi has directed officers concerned to conduct a proper investigation into the incident so that all guilty are punished in accordance with the law. “Deeply anguished by the tragic demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, CM has expressed heartfelt condolences and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace. To support the bereaved family in this hour of irreparable loss, the CM has also announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased student,” it added.
The CM had earlier promised the family that “all those found guilty in the matter will face the full wrath of the law” and he has personally directed the authorities to take action to deliver justice.
Failure Of An Apathetic System, Says Naveen Patnaik
Meanwhile, BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik termed her death of FM College student as a failure of an apathetic system. “The sequence of events leading to her death amounts to nothing less than institutional betrayal, bordering on premeditated injustice. She wrote to the college principal about the sexual harassment she endured over months. She did not give up even after being ignored by the college authorities. To seek justice, she reached out to the Higher Education Minister, the Chief Minister’s office, and even a Union Minister. She also personally met the Balasore MP to share her plight. If they had taken responsibility and intervened personally, perhaps the girl’s life could have been saved. She did not lose her life solely due to physical trauma but also because of the negligence of the state government, which left her alone in her struggle,” he posted on X.
Naveen urged Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to ensure that not only the college authorities but also those in power, who failed to take any action despite the victim’s desperate pleas, are held accountable. “May the departed soul find eternal peace. I pray once again to Lord Jagannath to grant strength and courage to the family members to face this immense sorrow. Om Shanti,” he added.
Soumyashree succumbed late on Monday hours after President Droupadi Murmu and Odisha Governor visited AIIMS-Bhubaneswar to inquire about her health condition. “Shattered to learn of the untimely loss of a young student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Her passing is not just a tragedy—it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses. The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment. My heart goes out to the grieving family. May they find strength in this hour of unbearable pain. Sadgati Praptirastu,” the Governor posted on X.
The Fight for Justice
The second-year Integrated BEd student set herself on fire on Saturday afternoon after her complaint of sexual harassment against Samira Kumar Sahu, who headed the Bachelor of Education Department, went unaddressed. She was upset over inaction by the college authorities despite filing a formal complaint with internal complaints committee (ICC), which reportedly found no concrete evidence to support her allegations against the HoD, who she claimed had threatened to sabotage her academic records if she did not comply with his demand for favours.
Soumyashree lodged the complaint against the assistant professor on June 30 and met principal Dilip Ghosh again on the fateful day, alleging inaction and injustice by the college authorities. Her father, Balaram Bisi, claimed that she was asked to withdraw her complaint and was threatened with rustication by the principal.
Her post on X, tagging Higher Education Minister, CM, Balasore MP and SP and Collector, also elicited no response.
However, within hours after she set herself ablaze, the Higher Education Department suspended the accused HOD and college principal Dilip Kumar Ghosh. Sahadevkhunta Police arrested Sahu on July 12 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which, among others, covers the charges of abetment to suicide and sexual harassment. Ghosh was also arrested on July 14 on charges of negligence and sent to judicial custody after being produced at the SDJM court.
A three-member inquiry committee headed by Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, has been investigating the circumstances that resulted in the tragedy. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded a time-bound and fair probe into the matter. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also directed the Balasore SP to submit a report within 15 days.
