Balasore, May 23: The Orissa High Court has granted conditional bail to Dillip Kumar Ghosh, former Principal of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College in Balasore, in connection with the self-immolation of a girl student over alleged sexual harassment last year. Ghosh was released from Balasore District Jail after nearly ten months in custody.
Former Assistant Professor Sameer Sahu, identified as the prime accused in the case, remains in jail.
The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has filed a preliminary chargesheet after recording statements from at least 129 witnesses, according to reports. The final chargesheet is yet to be submitted.
The incident took place in July 2025, when the BEd student set herself on fire outside the Principal’s chamber. She reportedly resorted to the extreme step after the college authorities did not take timely action on her complaint of sexual harassment. The victim sustained burns over 90% of her body and later died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
