Balasore: The Crime Branch arrested two youths in connection with the self-immolation of FM College student Soumyashree Bisi.
According to reports, Jyoti Prakash Biswal, who risked his life to save Soumyashree Bisi when she attempted to immolate herself and Shubhra Sambit, the state youth secretary of ABVP, were arrested based on allegations that they instigated Soumyashree to take the extreme step.
They allegedly instigated Soumyashree, who was fighting for justice, to attempt suicide. They reportedly filmed the incident on their mobile phones and even assisted her in the attempt.
After their arrest, the Crime Branch produced them in the SDJM court. Following their appearance in court, both students were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
It is pertinent to mention that a 20-year-old second-year Integrated B.Ed student, Soumyashree of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, died on July 14 after a 55-hour battle for life at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar. She had set herself on fire on July 11 to protest against the injustice she faced. Soumyashree had suffered 95 per cent burns, causing severe damage to her kidneys, lungs, and liver. Despite the best efforts of doctors, including a team of specialists from Delhi AIIMS, Soumyashree could not be saved.
According to reports, Saumyashree had accused her department head, Samir Kumar Sahu, of sexual and mental harassment. Although the college constituted a committee to investigate the matter, it failed to provide the student with justice.
Feeling frustrated and helpless, she allegedly attempted to immolate herself by pouring petrol on her body and setting herself on fire on the college premises.