Bhubaneswar(OT Webdesk): In a major escalation of its investigation into the tragic death of FM (Autonomous) College student Soumyashree, the Odisha government has amended the FIR to include charges of abetment of suicide and mental harassment.
The move comes after widespread protests and mounting public pressure following the student’s death.
Soumyashree, a second-year B.Ed student, reportedly self-immolated on July 12 after her complaints of harassment were allegedly ignored by college authorities.
She succumbed to her injuries on July 15.
Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed the FIR revision, stating that the probe will expand beyond the college principal and department head to cover anyone who contributed to or failed to address the harassment. “Anyone found directly or indirectly responsible will face strict action,” he said.
A high-level strategy meeting was convened at the State Secretariat, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers, the BJP state president, and ministers overseeing Law, Health, and Transport.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan assured that legal action is underway per the Chief Minister’s directives and pledged measures to prevent similar tragedies across the state’s educational institutions.
Soumyashree’s death has ignited political backlash and demands for institutional accountability, prompting urgent state-level responses to reform grievance redressal mechanisms in colleges.
