Balasore: Odisha Crime Branch DG Vinaytosh Mishra arrived at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College here as the investigation into the death of a student by self-immolation due to alleged harassment by an assistant professor, entered the fourth day on Sunday.
According to sources, the members of the institution’s internal complaint committee are likely to be questioned again. The agency is investigating the source of the petrol used in the self-immolation, the harassment allegations, and the institution’s response in the case.
The DG’s visit assumes significance since it comes a day after analysis of CCTV footage revealed that a woman, believed to be of the same age as the victim, had purchased petrol in a bottle from a filling station near FM College, around the time of the incident.
On July 12, the 20-year-old girl, who was pursuing the BEd programme, had set herself on fire after pouring petrol on her body outside the principal’s chamber.
Following the incident, petrol pumps across Balasore district have reportedly stopped selling fuel in containers.
Will quit politics if proven guilty, says MP Pratap Sarangi
On the other hand, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi on Saturday revealed that the college principal confronted the student with an unfavourable internal inquiry report and demanded an apology on the day she took her life.
The Parliamentarian said that the principal admitted to telling the student that the report favoured the teacher and asked her to write an apology letter to resolve the issue. “He claimed he was trying to counsel her, but I question whether this can truly be considered counselling,” Sarangi said.
He also noted that the principal’s security guard confirmed the accused teacher’s presence during the students’ meeting, contradicting the former’s initial denial. He highlighted irregularities in the report, which seemed to defend the teacher while focusing on irrelevant details about the student’s conduct.
Sarangi, who met the student on June 30 to discuss her harassment complaint against the assistant professor, also criticised the inquiry committee’s biased methods, including interviewing students in groups, which could skew testimonies. “The principal had assured me that a report would be submitted within seven days,” he said.
He further claimed to have had multiple conversations with the SP, regarding the matter. He, however, pointed out that the student did not file any formal police complaint, which he said might have allowed quicker intervention.
Dismissing allegations against him as politically motivated, Sarangi welcomed a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court sitting judge. “I pursued this matter with complete sincerity and commitment. If anyone claims I exerted pressure on the student or obstructed justice, let them file an FIR against me or demand a CBI inquiry. If proven guilty, I will retire from politics,” he asserted.
