Odisha: FM College Principal Arrested In Student's Self-Immolation Case
Key Points
FM College Principal Dillip Ghosh arrested in self-immolation case.
Student remains critical at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after 95% burns.
Balasore/Bhubaneswar, July 14: In a major development in the alleged sexual harassment and self-immolation case involving a female B.Ed student, the Odisha Police on Monday arrested Dillip Ghosh, the Principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore.
Ghosh’s arrest comes days after Soumyashree Bisi, a second-year B.Ed student of FM college, attempted self-immolation on campus, demanding action against her teacher for alleged harassment.
The student, currently undergoing critical care treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar with 95% burn injuries, had accused Samira Kumar Sahu, the then Head of Department (HoD) of the Education Department of the FM College, of sexually harassing and mentally traumatizing her. The accused HoD was arrested on Saturday in this connection.
AIIMS doctors said, the student's health condition remains critical, and dialysis has been initiated as part of renal replacement therapy after consultation with AIIMS Delhi.
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✨Following widespread outrage and demands for justice, the Higher Education Department earlier suspended the college principal for failing to act on the complaints and protect the student.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar to meet the student’s family and discuss her condition with doctors, calling for her speedy recovery and praying for her well-being.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also intervened, seeking an Action Taken Report from the Odisha Police within three days.
The Odisha government has stated it will take stringent legal steps to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure a safe educational environment.