Self-immolation Case of Female Student at Fakir Mohan College, Odisha

In February 2025, a 19-year-old female student of Fakir Mohan College in Balasore, Odisha, India, died after setting herself ablaze on the college campus near the vice-principal's office. Before the act, she had accused a lecturer of sexual harassment and alleged that her complaints were ignored, which also led to unfair treatment in her examinations. She poured kerosene over herself and set herself on fire as a desperate protest. She succumbed to severe burn injuries in a hospital. The incident triggered violent student protests and arson on campus. Police arrested the accused lecturer and launched an investigation into charges of abetment of suicide and negligence by college authorities.

As of mid-2025, the investigation is ongoing. The accused lecturer has been arrested and charged with abetment of suicide. The trial is pending, and no final verdict has been delivered.

Whether the college administration's failure to act on the sexual harassment complaint directly abetted the suicide; whether the accused lecturer was guilty of harassment and mental cruelty; and the overall responsibility of educational institutions in preventing such extreme outcomes.

The case sparked widespread student protests across Odisha, demanding stricter anti-sexual harassment measures and accountability in colleges. It reignited national debates on campus safety, mental health support, and the effectiveness of internal complaints committees. The state government ordered an inquiry and promised reforms in student grievance redressal systems.