Student sets herself on fire, prof held

{ SEXUAL HARASSMENT CHARGE } VICTIM HOSPITALISED WITH 90% BURNS

- Debabrata Mohanty

According to the victim's friend, she lodged a sexual harassment complaint against assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu, who heads the education department at the institute, with the internal complaints committee of the college on July 1.

The victim, a second-year student of the college, alleged that Sahu had been asking her for “favours” and had also threatened to destroy her academic career if she did not oblige. Though she was assured action within seven days, nothing happened, said her friend. She also lodged a complaint with local police in the issue.

Police said the incident took place on Saturday afternoon after the victim met the principal of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Dilip Ghosh, in Balasore district of Odisha, and demanded action against the accused.