FM College Self-Immolation Case: Suspended Principal Dilip Ghosh arrested

Bhubaneswar, July 14: In a major development in the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student self-immolation case, suspended principal Dilip Ghosh was arrested on Sunday by Sahadebkhunta police in Balasore.

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The arrest follows the earlier detention and suspension of Sameer Kumar Sahu, Head of the Education Department, who was taken into custody on Saturday after serious allegations of harassment surfaced. Both officials have been suspended by the Higher Education Department pending further investigation.

The incident occurred on Saturday when a female student reportedly set herself on fire within the college premises, allegedly in protest against sustained harassment. Eyewitnesses intervened promptly, and the victim was rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital. Due to the severity of her burns, she was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced medical care. As per the medical report, the victim girl has now been struggling for life in the hospital

According to reports, the student had filed a complaint on July 2, accusing Sameer Kumar Sahu of mentally harassing her for the past eight months. She had also spoken to the media, expressing her anguish and stating that the harassment had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Though the principal had earlier assured an impartial probe into the matter, no concrete action followed. This inaction sparked unrest among the student community, leading to a protest (dharna) on campus. It was during this demonstration that the girl attempted self-immolation.

The Odisha government has ordered a Crime Branch investigation to probe the matter thoroughly.

Meanwhile, the incident has triggered a political storm in the state. Both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress have intensified their demands for stringent action against those responsible, mounting pressure on the ruling government.

Tension remains high on the FM College campus as students, parents, and the larger academic community await justice and accountability.