Arrests Made Following Tragic Self-Immolation of Odisha Student

Incident Overview

Authorities have detained two individuals, including the joint secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), in relation to the tragic death of a college student who self-immolated in Balasore, Odisha, as reported by a news outlet.

The ABVP serves as the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which is affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The 20-year-old undergraduate student set herself ablaze on July 13, following her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, which she claimed was ignored.

She succumbed to her injuries two days later, suffering from 90% burns.

Details of the Arrests

According to police reports, ABVP leaders Subhat Sandeep Nayak and Jyoti Prakash Biswal were allegedly present when the incident occurred outside the principal's office.

The exact connection of the two to the incident remains unclear.

However, an unnamed officer from the Crime Branch suggested that they may have encouraged the student to take such drastic action.

Biswal reportedly sustained injuries while trying to assist the student during the incident.

Background of the Case

Prior to the self-immolation, the student had met with Principal Dilip Ghosh to discuss her unresolved complaint against Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu.

This incident has ignited significant public outrage and political turmoil in Odisha.

On July 13, Sahu was arrested and placed in judicial custody, facing charges including abetment to suicide, criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Investigators discovered that Sahu allegedly rallied other students to intimidate the complainant and influence the administration's response.

Institutional Response

On July 15, Principal Ghosh was also arrested for his role in the events leading to the student's death, following his suspension by the state higher education department for negligence.

The student had initially filed a complaint with the college's internal committee on June 30, accusing Sahu of soliciting inappropriate favors and threatening her academic standing.

She later lodged a police complaint on July 1, which reportedly did not prompt any action.

Her father claimed that instead of addressing the issue, the principal pressured her to retract her complaint.

In response to inquiries about the lack of timely action, Balasore Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad stated that the police had contacted the internal complaints committee after receiving the complaint, which promised a report within five days.