Odisha FM college student succumbs to burns at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

The official medical bulletin from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed her death, marking a tragic end to a case that has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. Soumyashree’s ordeal began months ago when she accused Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu of sexual harassment and mental torment, including demands for sexual favours and threats to sabotage her academic record. Despite lodging complaints with college authorities, the Higher Education Department, local MP Pratap Sarangi, and even tweeting her plight to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other officials on June 25, her cries for help went unanswered.

Frustrated by the inaction, she staged a sit-in protest at the college principal’s office on July 12, only to set herself ablaze shortly after. The incident prompted swift action from authorities. Professor Sahu has been arrested and faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including abetment to suicide and sexual harassment. College Principal Dilip Ghosh, who allegedly failed to mediate effectively, has been suspended. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter, while social activist Jayant Das has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, demanding compensation for Soumyashree’s family and accountability from the college administration.

This is not an isolated incident at Fakir Mohan College, with previous reports of similar harassment cases raising concerns about systemic failures. As the investigation unfolds, Soumyashree’s death serves as a sombre reminder of the urgent need for robust policies to protect students and ensure swift action against perpetrators. Her family and supporters continue to demand justice, while the nation mourns the loss of a young life extinguished by despair.

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have expressed deep grief over the passing away of Bisi.

In a heartfelt address on X, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the untimely demise of Soumyashree Bisi, a student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who suffered critical burns after a self-immolation attempt on July 13. She succumbed to her injuries despite relentless efforts by medical experts and government support.

ଫକୀର ମୋହନ ସ୍ୱୟଂଶାସିତ ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ପୀଡ଼ିତା ଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମର୍ମାହତ। ସରକାରଙ୍କ ସମସ୍ତ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ନିର୍ବାହ ତଥା ବିଶେଷଜ୍ଞ ଡାକ୍ତରୀ ଦଳଙ୍କ ଅକ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ପରିଶ୍ରମ ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ପୀଡ଼ିତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ରକ୍ଷା ହୋଇପାରିଲା ନାହିଁ । ତାଙ୍କର ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ଅପୂରଣୀୟ…

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 14, 2025