Balasore Student Suicide Case:  A two-member Crime Branch team will investigate the incident involving a 20-year-old college student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, Odisha, who self-immolated on campus following alleged inaction regarding her sexual harassment complaint.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Odisha Police DG Vinaytosh Mishra announced that the investigation will be conducted under the supervision of the CAW.

“In exercise of powers conferred under PMR-410(A), I take full control over the investigation of Balasore District Sahadevkhunta P.S Case No. 229 dated 12.07.2025 under sections 75(1)(iii)/78/79/351(2)/108/3 (5) BNS and appoint DSP, Iman Kalyan Nayak of CAW & CW, Bhubaneswar to oversee the investigation of this case and any related cases. For this purpose, DSP, Iman Kalyan Nayak of CAW & CW, Bhubaneswar will have the authority to act as Officer-in-Charge of Balasore District Sahadevkhunta P.S for the investigation of this case in accordance with Rule 431 (C) of the Odisha Police Manual Rules,” the statement indicated.

What’s The Case?
A 20-year-old second-year Integrated B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore died after setting herself on fire on campus, alleging sexual harassment by her professor.

Following the self-immolation on campus, the student was initially taken to the Balasore district hospital and later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced medical care. She was receiving treatment in the ICU of the Burn Centre. AIIMS Bhubaneswar reported that despite receiving intensive care, the student could not be saved and was pronounced dead at 11:46 pm on July 14.

The college Principal, Dillip Ghose, was suspended and arrested on Monday for his failure to address the situation appropriately and fulfill his responsibilities, as stated in the suspension order from Odisha’s Higher Education Department. He was also accused of protecting the Head of Department, who has also been arrested.

What is the Complaint?

On July 1, a young woman lodged a formal complaint with the college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), accusing Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, the Head of Department, of ongoing sexual harassment. She claimed that the college principal, Dillip Ghose, along with other staff members, did not take action despite her repeated requests for assistance.

ICC Findings

Days following her death, the ICC’s findings revealed that the accused professor had been mentally harassing the victim.

In an interview with CNN-News18, Minati Sethi, a member of the internal complaints committee (ICC), confirmed these details. The report has been forwarded to the college administration for further action.

“We have fulfilled our responsibility and investigated the matter thoroughly. Our role was to investigate and present the report to the Principal. The Principal was expected to take action based on the report… In our findings, we noted that Sameer Sahu was mentally harassing the victim.”

Additionally, the ICC member mentioned that the inquiry team has yet to identify any witnesses to the sexual harassment claims. “We are still searching for any eyewitnesses to the sexual harassment allegations,” Sethi remarked.