Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the family of a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, who succumbed to burn injuries late on Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The student had allegedly attempted self-immolation on July 12 on the college campus, accusing the Head of the Education Department Samir Kumar Sahu, of sexual harassment. She reportedly poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze in front of the principal’s chamber. She was initially admitted to Balasore Medical College and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her injuries.
Expressing grief over the incident, the Chief Minister took to social media platform X and said he was deeply pained by the student’s demise. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
The Chief Minister has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and directed that all those found guilty be punished strictly as per the law.
Following the incident, Sahadevkhunta Police arrested Samir Kumar Sahu under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and Section 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment).
On Monday, the college principal, Dilip Ghosh—who had been suspended earlier—was also arrested in connection with the case.
