Student attempted self-immolation after two weeks passed by and college did not do anything about her complaint. The student who attempted self-immolation after alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor in Odisha’s Balasore remains on life-support at AIIMS Bhubaneshwar. She is still in a critical condition, while the college principal was arrested on Monday.
The professor, who allegedly has a pattern of abuse against other female students too, was arrested last week as the issue reached the top echelons of the government.
“The team has consulted AIIMS Delhi,” the hospital authorities said, adding that they were so far advised to continue the current treatment. The patient is critical and stable. The victim’s father has said she suffered 95 per cent burns.
What her father said
“She had complained (about the sexual harassment), but the principal did not pay heed to it,” alleged the father.
“They had two to four complaints against the accused professor, and the college authorities asked me to wait for the internal committee report. My demand is that the culprit should be given the harshest punishment.” the father said.
He added that there should be counselling facilities in all colleges of Odisha, and strict steps should be taken so that such an incident does not happen again.
The Balasore police arrested the accused professor, Samir Sahu, on Saturday after registering a case of abetment to suicide and sexual harassment. The principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, where the victim was studying for a BEd integrated degree, was also arrested on Monday.
After severe criticism by opposition parties, Odisha’s BJP government formed a committee to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged harassment case. The chief minister, Mohan Charan Manjhi, also met the family at the AIIMS in Bhubaneshwar.
