Soumyashree death case: DG Crime Branch seeks more as probe points to contradictions

Balasore, July 21 (UNI) Odisha Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra has stated that it will take some more time to reach a conclusion in the tragic death case of FM Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi.

Soumyashree, a 20-year-old second-year Integrated B.Ed student, allegedly set herself ablaze on July 12 after reportedly receiving no support despite raising allegations of sexual harassment against the Head of her Department.

She succumbed to her burn injuries on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The incident has sparked a political storm across the state. Opposition parties have accused the government of systemic failure, demanding a judicial probe and the resignation of both the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister.

DG Mishra, who visited FM College and other locations related to the case yesterday, said the Crime Branch is conducting an in-depth investigation under the supervision of IG, CAW & CW (Crimes Against Women & Children Wing), S. Shyni.

As part of the ongoing probe, the investigating team has recorded the statements of Soumyashree’s family members, friends, classmates, and acquaintances, along with those directly or indirectly linked to the incident.

Statements from members of the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) and students who had earlier deposed before the committee have also been recorded.

Mishra pointed out inconsistencies between the statements given before and after Soumyashree’s death. “There is a difference in the versions being shared on social media and those recorded officially,” he added.

The team has seized physical evidence from the site of the incident and taken statements from eyewitnesses. CCTV footage from multiple sources has been collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis.

“After receiving the FSL report and gathering more evidence and testimonies, we will reach a conclusion. The case is complex and requires time due to the nature of the investigation,” Mishra stated.
He assured that the inquiry will be fair and impartial, and no innocent person will be implicated.

Meanwhile, FM College Principal Dillip Ghosh and Head of Education Department Samir Ranjan Sahu, who was accused by Soumyashree of mental and sexual harassment, have been suspended and arrested by the police.