The Orissa High Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Tuesday seeking a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore.
The student succumbed to severe burn injuries after a self-immolation attempt on July 12, allegedly following prolonged harassment and administrative negligence.
The PIL, filed by senior advocate Shib Shankar Mohanty, raises serious concerns over the ongoing investigation and demands judicial oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Crime Branch, which took over the case last week, continues its probe. A two-member team has visited the college for five consecutive days, questioning faculty members, including the acting principal. Investigators are exploring multiple angles, including institutional apathy and harassment.
Sources confirmed that the deceased student had submitted a written complaint prior to the incident. However, the college’s internal committee allegedly found no reason to act, a move now under intense scrutiny.
The victim, a student of the Education Department, had accused HOD Sameer Sahoo of harassment. She reportedly set herself on fire outside the principal’s chamber and was later admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she died on July 15, having suffered over 90% burns.
Her death has triggered statewide protests, with the Congress and BJD launching agitation campaigns. On July 17, the Congress and allied parties called for an Odisha Bandh, demanding justice and administrative accountability.
