Tragic Incident: 20-Year-Old Student in Critical Condition After Self-Immolation Over Harassment Claims

A tragic incident has unfolded in Balasore, where a 20-year-old student set herself on fire due to alleged sexual harassment. Currently hospitalized at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, her condition is critical, with severe burns affecting 95% of her body. The Odisha government has suspended the college principal and arrested the accused teacher. As the community grapples with this shocking event, the Chief Minister is set to visit the victim. This situation raises urgent questions about safety and support for students facing harassment.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2025, 12:57 IST

Critical Health Status of Student Following Self-Immolation

Bhubaneswar: A 20-year-old female student who set herself ablaze on the campus of Balasore College due to alleged sexual harassment is currently in a "highly critical" state, suffering from severe burns covering approximately 95% of her body, according to officials at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The young woman was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, and medical staff have indicated that the next 48 hours are crucial, as there has been no sign of improvement in her condition.

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, informed the media that the victim's kidneys and lungs have also been compromised due to the extensive burns. "Her entire body is severely burned, with only a few patches on her face remaining untouched," he stated.

Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, is scheduled to visit the student at AIIMS Bhubaneswar to check on her health, as confirmed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling after meeting with the victim's family.

Hospital sources revealed that a team of specialists from various departments, including burn treatment, critical care, surgery, nephrology, and pulmonology, are continuously monitoring her condition.

Dr. Biswas assured that AIIMS Bhubaneswar is equipped with all necessary facilities to care for the patient, but emphasized that it is too early to make any definitive statements about her prognosis.

An eight-member expert committee has been formed at AIIMS, consisting of doctors from anesthesia, pulmonary medicine, burn and plastic surgery, nephrology, and other relevant fields. This committee has the authority to include additional specialists as needed.

The student, enrolled in the second year of the Integrated B Ed program at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, resorted to self-immolation on Saturday while demanding action against a faculty member accused of sexual and mental harassment.

In response to the incident, the Odisha government has suspended the college principal for failing to fulfill his responsibilities, as stated in an order from the Higher Education department.

Additionally, the police in Balasore have arrested the accused teacher, Samira Kumar Sahu, following the incident.