Bhubaneswar, July 12 (UNI) The Odisha government today suspended Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, after a second-year girl student attempted self-immolation, alleging mental harassment by him.
An order issued by the Higher Education Department stated that the Assistant Professor was placed under suspension under sub-rule (2) of Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962, in view of the serious nature of the incident.
In a horrifying turn of events, a female student pursuing an integrated B.Ed course at the college attempted to set herself on fire in front of the college gate today.
According to her family members, the student took the extreme step after the college authorities failed to take timely action on her repeated complaints of harassment by the Head of Department (HOD), leading her into depression.
The student, who sustained 90 per cent burn injuries, was first rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for advanced treatment.
The incident sparked outrage among the student community, who demanded the immediate arrest of the accused professor and a fair, independent investigation into the matter.
They also called for government accountability, both in ensuring the girl’s survival and in taking action against those who ignored her complaint.
“We had registered her complaint and were in the process of forming a report based on the internal committee’s findings,” said Dilip Ghosh, Principal of Fakir Mohan College. “Some reports have been received, while others are awaited,” he stated.
Narrating the incident, Ghosh said, “The victim met me in my office today and expressed that she was under severe mental stress. She demanded that the accused professor, Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, be called immediately. After some counselling, I complied and summoned Sahoo.”
The principal further said he had cautioned both the student and the professor about the consequences of making false statements.
“While Sahoo denied the allegations, the girl stood firm. Moments after our discussion ended, we heard screams. She had set herself on fire,” Ghosh added.
Eyewitnesses said the student poured petrol over herself and ignited it during her protest outside the college, accusing the HOD of harassment.
In her written complaint, the victim alleged that the professor made inappropriate demands and threatened to sabotage her academic future if she didn’t comply.
She also claimed that despite an inquiry committee, which included an inspector-ranked police officer and college staff, being formed, no effective action had been taken.
