Bhubaneswar, Jul 15: A 20-year-old B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, succumbed to severe burn injuries late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, marking a heartbreaking end to her battle for justice. Her final rites will be performed in Palasia – her native village.

After the news of her death reached the village, an atmosphere of mourning engulfed the entire community. The family is in shock after losing their daughter, and silence has descended upon Palasia village in Bhogarai following Soumyashree’s passing.

The victim had attempted self-immolation on July 12 by pouring petrol on herself in protest against prolonged harassment by a college faculty member.

Following the incident, she was first admitted to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the critical nature of her injuries. With 95% of her body severely burned, her condition remained extremely fragile.

A 10-member team of expert doctors at AIIMS, in coordination with specialists from AIIMS Delhi, provided continuous care for over 60 hours. Despite their tireless efforts, her vital organs—lungs, heart, and kidneys—failed to respond to treatment.

At around midnight on Monday, doctors formally declared her clinically dead. Her family and close friends, present at the hospital, were informed, and the hospital premises echoed with grief and mourning.

Post-mortem was conducted at AIIMS, and her mortal remains were handed over to her family. Under tight security, the body was transported by ambulance to her native village Palasia in Bhogarai for final rites.

The incident has triggered a wave of sorrow and anger across Odisha, with political leaders, student organisations, and civil society demanding strict action against the accused and institutional reforms to prevent such tragedies.

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