Bhubaneswar: A B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, who was being treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, after attempting self-immolation, was declared dead by doctors late on Monday evening.
The young student who was severely burnt in an incidence of self-immolation on July 12, 2025, succumbed hours after President Droupadi Murmu and Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati visited the hospital to inquire about her health condition.
The B.Ed student was allegedly pushed to commit the act following alleged harassment by the head of department (HoD) of the B.Ed program, Samir Kumar Sahu. She had staged a sit-in protest and filed a written complaint against Sahu, accusing him of sexual harassment and misbehaviour, but the college authorities had not taken any action. This allegedly led to the girl pouring petrol and burning self in front of the principal chamber on Saturday, leaving her with 90-95 percent burn injuries. She was first taken to Balasore Medical College and later on to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she received further treatment.
A high-level expert committee, including specialists of anaesthesia, pulmonary medicine, nephrology, and burn and plastic surgery, had been formed at AIIMS Bhubaneswar to monitor her progress. Throughout she was critical and on ventilator support. She underwent dialysis, but irreparable damage had been done to the kidney and the respiratory system. The Odisha government had made plans to bring AIIMS Delhi experts on virtual consultations and would have flown her in case of an emergency, but her condition did not allow transfer.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi mourned the death. “I am so sad to hear about the death of the oppressed student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College,” he wrote on X. “Even though the state government had done everything within its capacities and a specialised medical team had worked day and night, they failed to save the girl.I am also praying to Lord Jagannath to infuse the strength in the family to withstand this irreplaceable loss along with a desire for the eternal peace of her soul,” he said. The CM also promised the family that “all those found guilty in the matter will face the full wrath of the law,” and that indeed he has personally directed the authorities to take action to deliver justice.
The event has resulted in a great deal of outrage in Odisha, as political parties and students’ bodies are demanding justice.
On July 12, the Odisha Higher Education Department suspended the accused HOD Samir Kumar Sahu and the college principal Dillip Kumar Ghosh. Sahadevkhunta Police arrested Sahu under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which, among others, covers the charges of abetment to suicide and sexual harassment. Police also arrested Ghosh on July 14 on charges of negligence as the girl had lodged complaints against them.
A three-member inquiry committee headed by Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, has been investigating the situation that resulted in the tragedy. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also demanded a time-bound and fair probe into the matter by seeking a report from the Odisha Police. On July 14, President Droupadi Murmu visited Odisha, and during her visit, she visited the family of Soumyashree at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she assured them of the best medical care and justice.
Opposition parties have shown considerable interest in the tragedy as well, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress demanding a meeting with President Murmu to introduce a concerning situation on the safety of women and students in Odisha. BJD, NSUI and the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) activists staged protests in Balasore.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who visited the family on July 14, said the incident was a serious lapse in the academic ecosystem and nobody would be spared in the matter. Her father Balaram Bisi and her brother have been demanding the stiffest sentence for those found guilty and accused the college of institutional carelessness and mental torture over a long period.
