Bhubaneswar: Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar declared a B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who was undergoing treatment there after a self-immolation attempt two weeks prior, dead on Monday evening.
The self-immolation incident was dated July 12, 2025, which caused severe burns to this young student. She received some attention at the hospital when President Droupadi Murmu and Odisha’s Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, visited.
The B.Ed student is believed to have suffered from “harassment” from her program’s HoD, Samir Sahu, which led to the self-immolation incident. After enduring a total of eight hours of protesting and submitting a detailed petition to college officials accusing Sahu of sexual harassment and misbehaviour, the girl was left with no choice except to resort to extreme measures. College officials did nothing in response to these allegations, which reportedly drove this young woman to self-immolate in the Principal’s office. She was first taken to Balasore Medical College and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced care, where she received further treatment. An oversight committee at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, consisting of anaesthetics, pulmonologists, nephrologists, and burn and reconstructive surgery specialists, has been formed to monitor her progress. She was critically ill and required mechanical ventilation. The inability to rely on her bodily reserves resulted in the need for dialysis. The kidneys and lungs had sustained permanent and significant damage. The Odisha government planned to get specialists from AIIMS Delhi for virtual consultations and had plans to airlift her for emergencies, but her current health status prevented any form of transfer.
Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister, expressed his condolences. “I am devastated to hear about the death of the oppressed student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College,” he posted on X. “Even though the state government had done everything within its capacities and a specialised medical team had worked day and night, they failed to save the girl. I am also praying to Lord Jagannath to infuse the strength in the family to withstand this irreplaceable loss along with a desire for the eternal peace of her soul,” he mentioned. The CM also assured the family that “all those found guilty in the matter will face the full wrath of the law,” and that indeed he has personally directed the authorities to take action to deliver justice.
Political parties and students’ bodies have taken to the streets demanding immediate justice, plunging the event’s impact into outrage in Odisha.
On July 12, Odisha’s Higher Education Department removed Samir Sahu, the HOD, and the college principal, Dillip Ghosh, from their positions. Under sections related to abetment to suicide and sexual harassment, Sahadevkhunta Police took Sahu into custody. Ghosh was arrested on July 14 for negligent behaviour after the girl had voiced her concerns to him through formal complaints.
A three-member inquiry committee, led by the Director of Higher Education, Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, is investigating the events leading up to the unfortunate incident. Furthermore, the National Commission of Women has expressed concerns and is seeking a timely and thorough investigation from the Odisha Police. President Droupadi Murmu was in Odisha on July 14 and during her trip, she provided assurance to the family of Soumyashree that they would receive top-tier medical treatment at AIIMS along with guarantees of justice.
The tragedy has piqued the interest of opposition parties, as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), along with the Congress party, sought an audience with President Murmu to highlight their concerns on the safety of women and students in the state of Odisha. BJD, NSUI, and AIDSO protesters rallied in Balasore.
Visiting the family on July 14, Union Education Minister Pradhan remarked that the situation represented an “appalling” breakdown of the scholarly infrastructure and that there would be consequences. Her father, Balaram Bisi, alongside her brother, has been vocal about her wish to see the strongest possible penalties for the offenders and accused the college of long-term negligent mental abuse and of treating the students like lab subjects.