Woman student commits self-immolation over sexual harassment; principal suspended, teacher held

A woman student of a college in Balasore district, who had lodged a sexual harassment complaint against a teacher, on Saturday allegedly set herself on fire in the educational institute campus and sustained 90 per cent burn injury, police said.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

Another male student, who attempted to save her, also sustained injury and both were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital here.

Later, she was referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. A 12-mem-ber doctors team has been formed to take care of the injured woman student, police said.

The incident took place this afternoon after the woman student met the Principal of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, Dilip Kumar Ghose. She had earlier lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor (Stage-l) in Educational Studies, who is also the head of the department and demanded action against him.

Taking a serious view of the self-immolation attempt by female student, the Odisha government placed the college principal and the head of the Education department, under suspension.

As Ghose has "failed" to perform his duties in the capacity of Principal of the college, he is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, an order issued by the Higher Education department said.

Balasore Police has arrested the accused teacher Samira Kumar Sahu, an officer said.