Fakir Mohan College Self-Immolation Case: Two Students Arrested for Alleged Instigation

Crime Branch Detains ABVP Activist and Fellow Student
In a major development in the self-immolation case of a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two students — Shubhra Sambit Nayak, an activist of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and Jyotiprakash Biswal. Both have been accused of instigating the victim and abetting her suicide. Their arrests come three weeks after the tragic death, reigniting public outrage and raising serious concerns about campus safety and administrative accountability.

Tragic Incident Sparks Statewide Outcry
On July 12, 2023, the student set herself on fire in front of the principal’s office after alleging sexual harassment by Samir Kumar Sahoo, head of the teacher education department. She was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with severe burn injuries and succumbed to them two days later. The case triggered protests across the state, especially after allegations emerged that her harassment complaint had been ignored by the college’s internal complaints committee.

Shocking Allegations Against Fellow Students
According to the Crime Branch, both Nayak and Biswal played a role in psychologically influencing the student toward self-immolation. Disturbingly, investigators claim that some students at the scene failed to intervene and, in some cases, even encouraged the act. Biswal, who was previously hailed for allegedly attempting to save the student and had sustained burn injuries, is now under suspicion for having prior knowledge of or involvement in the incident.

Judicial Custody and Ongoing Investigations
The two students were arrested from their residences late Sunday night and produced before the Balasore Judicial Magistrate Court. Their bail pleas were rejected, and they have been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody as investigations continue. This follows earlier arrests of Samir Kumar Sahoo and former principal Dillip Ghose on charges of abetment of suicide, sexual harassment, dereliction of duty, and possible destruction of evidence.

Multiple Agencies Probing Institutional Failures
The tragedy has laid bare the flaws in how harassment complaints are handled within educational institutions. Despite sustained protests by the student, authorities at the college reportedly failed to act. The Crime Branch, Odisha Higher Education Department, and the University Grants Commission are conducting separate but parallel investigations to determine systemic failures and individual responsibilities.

Public Demands Action, Opposition Slams Government
The incident has led to widespread protests across Odisha. Student unions and civil society groups have demanded immediate reforms and safety measures on campuses. Opposition parties have criticized the state government for failing to ensure the welfare and protection of women in educational institutions. Meanwhile, the Crime Branch is analyzing CCTV footage and mobile phone records to piece together a detailed timeline of the events.

A Complex Case Demanding Accountability
The arrests of Nayak and Biswal have added another dimension to an already sensitive and complex case. As the investigation unfolds, the demand for justice and systemic reform continues to grow louder — both to hold the guilty accountable and to prevent such tragedies in the future.