A tragic incident at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, where a female student set herself on fire after pouring petrol, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted multiple investigations.
On July 13, 2025, a three-member team from the Higher Education Department, led by Director Kaliprasanna Mahapatra, arrived at the college around 1 PM to begin a probe. The team, including Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak and BJB Autonomous College Professor Jhumuki Rath, questioned the suspended principal, Dillip Kumar Ghosh, and members of the college’s internal committee.
The incident, deemed highly sensitive, follows the student’s allegations of harassment against Professor Samir Kumar Sahu. She had lodged a complaint on July 1, warning of self-harm if justice was not served. Despite her appeals to the Chief Minister, Higher Education Minister, and other authorities via social media, no significant action was reportedly taken. The critically injured student has been shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment, while another student, Jyotiprakash Bishwal, also seriously injured, is under medical care.
The suspended principal has sought police protection, citing threats to his life. Ghosh claimed the internal committee’s report found no evidence of harassment, but he evaded questions about whether he pressured the student to withdraw her complaint. Meanwhile, a two-member Crime Branch team, led by Additional SP Rajalakshmi Nayak and DSP Iman Kalyan Nayak, arrived at the college by 5:15 PM to conduct a separate investigation. They interrogated Ghosh and committee members Minati Sethi and Gopamudra Mahapatra.
Several unanswered questions have fueled public anger: How did the student bring petrol onto the campus? Why were fire safety measures not utilised? Why was her social media plea ignored? Scrutiny of CCTV footage could potentially unravel more details, as many suspect deeper negligence by college authorities.
Social activist Jayant Das has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, demanding quality medical care for the student, Rs 1 crore in compensation, and accountability from the principal and committee members. He also called for a fast-track court trial and stricter oversight of educational institutions. Student organisations in Balasore are planning protests, which could escalate tensions further.
This is not the first such incident at Fakir Mohan College. A previous case of alleged sexual harassment against a professor was reportedly hushed up, raising concerns about systemic issues. As investigations continue, the community awaits justice and clarity in this tragic case.
