The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha’s Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor, died of her burn injuries in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Her death was confirmed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar, which, in a statement, said that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
“She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11.46 pm on July 14," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law.
In a post on X, CM Majhi wrote, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government’s fulfilment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim’s life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss."
“I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," the Odisha CM emphasised.
As the death of the woman was confirmed, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest while the mortal remains of the student were being taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS.
The B.Ed student attempted suicide by setting herself on fire, alleging inaction over her complaint against her professor, who sexually harassed her.
The principal of the college, Dillip Ghose, was suspended and arrested on Monday. The state’s Higher Education Department in the suspension order said the principal had failed to handle the matter properly and perform his duties.
He was also accused of shielding a department HoD who had already been arrested by the police.
A two-member team of the Crime Branch is investigating the incident following outrage across the state.
The Education Department has also formed a three-member committee to inquire into the incident.
