Arrests Made After Student’s Self-Immolation Protest Against Harassment

The Principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Dilip Kumar Ghosh, and the Head of the B.Ed. Department, Samir Sahu, have been arrested and lodged in Balasore District Jail in separate high-security cells following the tragic self-immolation and subsequent death of a 20-year-old female student. The student, a second-year B.Ed. candidate, had set herself ablaze on July 12 in protest against alleged sexual harassment and administrative inaction.

Student Dies After Accusing Faculty of Sexual Harassment and Threats

According to reports, the student sustained 95% burn injuries and succumbed on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Before her death, she had accused Samir Sahu of repeated sexual assaults and academic threats, and alleged that Principal Ghosh failed to take action even after she filed a formal complaint. The Internal Complaints Committee of the college had received her complaint on July 1, but reportedly took no meaningful steps to investigate or act.

A video that surfaced online shows the student being coerced to withdraw her complaint in the principal’s office, intensifying public outrage and demands for justice.

Police Action and Charges Under Abetment Laws

Sahu was arrested by Sahadevkhunta Police on July 12, while Principal Ghosh was taken into custody late on July 14. Both face charges including abetment of suicide and criminal negligence in addressing sexual harassment complaints.

Strict Monitoring in Jail, No Contact Between Accused

Jail authorities confirmed that Sahu is lodged in Cell No. 3 with three other prisoners, while Ghosh is in Cell No. 15 along with 29 inmates. Judicial Superintendent Suchitra Das stated that their movements are being strictly monitored and they are not allowed to interact with each other.

“They are receiving the same facilities as any other inmate,” said Das, clarifying that no special privileges are extended.

Daily Routine Inside Jail: Silence, Food, and Minimal Interaction

Sources from the jail noted that both accused have remained calm since their arrival. Sahu consumes regular jail food, including jaggery-sugar rice for breakfast and dal with soybean curry for lunch. He took part in an exercise session on Friday but avoids television and newspapers.

Principal Ghosh, known to be mentally resilient, prefers roti and curry over rice during dinner and has skipped communal yoga sessions, choosing instead to stay quietly in his cell. He maintains minimal interaction with fellow inmates.

Government Suspends Officials, Orders Multiple Inquiries

In response to the incident and public fury, the Higher Education Department suspended both Ghosh and Sahu on July 12, and a three-member inquiry committee was formed the next day to probe the matter.

Simultaneously, the Crime Branch has been tasked with investigating not only the current case but also Sahu’s past behavior, and the college administration’s systemic failure to respond to complaints of harassment.

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