Fakirmohan College Student Dies After Self-Immolation

Bhubaneswar: In a deeply tragic development, Soumyashree Bisi, a second-year Integrated B.Ed student of Fakirmohan College, Baleswar, lost her life after succumbing to critical burn injuries sustained in a self-immolation attempt. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 12, when she allegedly set herself on fire outside the principal’s chamber.

According to reports, the extreme act followed an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) verdict that exonerated the Head of the Department (HoD) of Education, Dr. Samira Kumar Sahu, whom Soumyashree had accused of repeated mental harassment. The student reportedly expressed distress over the committee’s decision, which led her to take the drastic step.

Soumyashree was immediately rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with more than 95% burn injuries. Despite intensive treatment by a specialized team of medical experts, she passed away, marking a heart-wrenching end to her struggle for justice.

In the aftermath of the incident, police arrested college principal Dillip Kumar Ghose on Monday, following his suspension by the Odisha Higher Education Department. He was taken into custody by Sahadevkhunta police amid growing outrage over the college’s handling of the complaint.

Earlier, the HoD, Dr. Sahu, had also been suspended and subsequently arrested for his alleged involvement in harassing the student.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger institutional mechanisms to protect students and ensure accountability in higher education settings.