Balasore, Jul 16: In the aftermath of the tragic death the second-year B.Ed student at FM Autonomous College, disturbing revelations have emerged about a campaign allegedly run in support of the accused Head of Department (HoD), Samir Kumar Sahoo, even as the student was fighting for justice.

According to fellow students, a signature campaign and coordinated social media posts were circulated on campus defending the HoD and discrediting the student’s harassment complaint. These efforts reportedly began soon after she submitted her formal complaint to Principal Dillip Ghose.

Student leaders from various groups have now come forward, claiming that misinformation was spread to protect the accused and malign the victim’s character. “Those who are now demanding justice were the same ones who ran a smear campaign against her,” said ABVP national executive member Biswajit Das.

Das alleged that student leaders from rival political outfits, including NSUI, had circulated defamatory content and even questioned the victim’s, now deceased, attendance record to undermine her credibility. “They tried to portray her as unstable and attention-seeking. This was not just victim-blaming — it was institutional betrayal,” he added.

The 20-year-old girl student’s father has urged that the incident not be politicized. “My daughter was forced into this. She didn’t die by suicide — she was murdered by a system that failed her,” he said, demanding justice beyond political agendas.

The Odisha government has suspended both the principal and HoD, and a three-member inquiry committee is investigating the case. Meanwhile, eight opposition parties have called for an Odisha Bandh on July 17.

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