Bhubaneswar: In a late-night statement to the media on Tuesday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari revealed that the Odisha government is collecting detailed information on persons who allegedly neglected their duties in connection with the tragic death of Soumyashree Bisi, a student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore. The minister confirmed that charges in the case have now been upgraded to abetment to suicide, based on evidence of mental harassment.
Pujari said the scope of the investigation is expanding, and all those responsible for creating the conditions that drove Soumyashree to end her life will be held accountable. “The government is deeply pained by this incident. We are fully committed to ensuring justice for Soumyashree and her family. No one responsible will be spared,” he assured.
The minister acknowledged that the Higher Education Department’s inquiry is ongoing, and that the victim’s mother has urged the state to widen the scope of the probe. The investigation, he emphasised, will not remain limited to the college principal or the department head.
Responding to opposition demands for a judicial inquiry, Pujari took a dig at the previous government, saying: “There were several judicial probes earlier, but most reports were either never submitted or never acted upon. This government will not repeat that mistake.”
Earlier in the day, the minister chaired a high-level review meeting alongside the Deputy Chief Ministers to assess the progress of the case and discuss the next steps.
Soumyashree, a student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, had self-immolated on July 12, reportedly after facing persistent harassment. She was initially rushed to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where a team of ten specialist doctors battled for 60 hours to save her life. With 95% burns, she succumbed on July 14.
Her final rites were conducted in her native village of Palasia in Bhogarai block. Grief engulfed the entire region as thousands turned up to bid her farewell. The incident has triggered statewide outrage, with mounting public anger and growing calls for accountability.
