The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate the self-immolation and subsequent death of a female student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, Odisha. The student, a 20-year-old second-year B.Ed student, died after allegedly being sexually harassed by the head of the Education Department, Samira Kumar Sahu. She set herself ablaze on July 12th outside the college gate after claiming inaction on her complaint, and succumbed to her injuries on Monday night after battling 95% burns for approximately 60 hours at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The UGC's fact-finding committee is tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, assessing the institution's compliance with regulatory provisions, and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. UGC Secretary Sudeep Singh Jain stated that the panel will investigate the availability and effectiveness of institutional policies, grievance redressal mechanisms, anti-harassment measures, and student support systems. The committee will also examine the institution's compliance with the UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.
The committee is headed by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Professor and UGC member Raj Kumar Mittal. The other members include former UGC member Sushma Yadav, former Gujarat University vice chancellor Neerja Gupta, and UGC Joint Secretary Ashima Mangla. The UGC has requested that the committee submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations within seven days.
The student's death has sparked widespread protests and outrage. Opposition parties have called for a bandh in the state on July 17th to protest the incident. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held a candlelight rally and announced a "gherao" of Lok Seva Bhawan on July 16th. The Odisha Congress has also announced a statewide bandh on July 17th.
The victim had filed a formal police complaint on July 1st against the accused professor, after first reporting the matter to the college principal and tagging state authorities in a social media post. Students had been protesting since July 1st, demanding action. The day of her self-immolation marked the eighth day of agitation.
Medical experts noted that the student arrived at the hospital four and a half hours after the incident, which worsened the severity of her injuries. Police have arrested the accused faculty member and the principal, who allegedly tried to pressure the student into withdrawing her complaint. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced Rs 20 lakh in interim compensation for the family and promised the "strictest action" against those responsible.
The National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women have taken cognizance of the matter. The Crime Against Women and Children Wing of Odisha's Crime Branch of Police is conducting a separate investigation. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has sought a detailed report on the issue and vowed "uncompromising punishment". The state government has also directed all colleges to form Internal Complaint Committees within 24 hours.
