Odisha Crime Branch Launches Probe into Alleged Harassment Case at Balasore College Following Student’s Self-Immolation Attempt

Balasore: A distressing incident at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, where a second-year integrated B.Ed. student reportedly attempted self-immolation, has prompted swift intervention by the Odisha Crime Branch. Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, the Crime Against Women and Children Wing of the Crime Branch has initiated an in-depth investigation into the alleged harassment case.

A two-member team comprising an Additional Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police visited the college on Sunday to gather initial details. The officials met with the former principal and are expected to interact with members of the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) and the student’s family to piece together the timeline and nature of the harassment allegations.

In parallel, the Higher Education Department has constituted a three-member inquiry panel to probe the incident. The committee is tasked with investigating the student’s allegations against a faculty member named Sahu and reviewing how the college administration and ICC responded to the student’s grievances. The inquiry will also assess whether proper protocols were followed in handling her complaint.

Speaking to the media, Higher Education Department Director Kali Prasanna Mohapatra said, “We are gathering written records and other evidence. This is a highly sensitive matter and the process will take time. The focus of our inquiry is to determine what went wrong and where lapses may have occurred.”

Authorities confirmed that they plan to revisit the campus to continue the investigation. While the official reports from both the Crime Branch and the department’s inquiry committee are still pending, the incident has sparked widespread concern about the accountability of college administrations and the effectiveness of internal grievance redressal mechanisms.